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Other Projects => Other Games => Play With Your Buddies => Topic started by: Azzuro on February 27, 2017, 11:50:43 am

Title: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on February 27, 2017, 11:50:43 am

(because there can never be too many of these LPs)

(http://i.imgur.com/5bhWxR7.png)
Let’s Play Aurora: Divided Humanity

The Story So Far

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

In August 2025, an experimental deep borehole drilled in the Altiplano in the High Andes struck an unusual geological formation of extraordinary density at a depth of over five kilometers below ground. Six weeks later, the first mineral samples extracted from the borehole were flown to the University of San Andres, where it was discovered that these new minerals did not fully obey the laws of known physics. Termed “Trans-Newtonian” (TN) minerals, they existed only partially in our universe, and in sufficient mass could alter the laws of physics around them.

The publishing of these discoveries sent shockwaves around the world, and governments and corporations alike were quick to grasp the possibilities that TN minerals offered. In particular, hydrogen-infused Sorium (termed HiSor) offered a completely clean energy source that promised to end the looming energy crisis. The TN revolution spread like wildfire, and by 2027 nearly a quarter of all academic papers published dealt with TN phenomena or applications in one way or another.

However, the greatest outcome of the TN revolution was undoubtedly in the area of spaceflight: the incredible energy density of HiSor fuel and duranium hulls which reduced the effective mass of a spaceship allowed viable and even cheap interplanetary travel and colonization. This was further boosted by the discovery of TN minerals on other planetary bodies by further borehole operations. The period from 2035-2065 is now remembered as the First Golden Age of colonization, with colonies being established on Luna, Mars, Mercury and the Galilean Moons of Jupiter. TN minerals also allowed instant (faster-than-light) communications between these colonies and Earth through the ansible, invented in 2041.

However, the power of TN minerals did not solely extend to the scientific and industrial spheres. In July 2057, following a period of increased tensions on the Korean Peninsula, North Korea launched eleven nuclear-armed ICBMs at Japan. All eleven were shot down within one minute of launching by a then-secret network of meson cannons by Japan. While some countries later criticized the Japanese for being the first to employ TN technology in weapons (although several nations had secretly done so by then), the clearly defensive nature of their actions kept global opinion on their side. Invasions by Chinese and joint American-South Korean forces rolled over North Korea, leaving a tense frontline between the two along the mountains of North Korea.

The Second Korean Crisis was resolved at the Busan conference, where the terms were that China would allow South Korea to annex the North if all US forces and bases were to be removed from Korea, along with the dissolution of the military alliance with the US. While the backroom dealings at that conference are unfortunately lost to history, it is known that the Chinese were able to achieve such favorable terms owing to the far greater number of Chinese troops in theater as compared to the American and South Koreans. For those wise enough to recognize it, it was the implicit acknowledgement that war between the nuclear powers was no longer unthinkable.

The nuclear powers of the world began clandestine research into TN missile technologies with haste, hoping to make their arsenals relevant again. This was complicated by the far greater speeds at which TN missiles were able to travel compared to their conventional counterparts, cutting down the decision-making time of a country under nuclear attack from fifteen minutes to as little as ten seconds. To circumvent this, many nations turned to automation to reduce response times, at the risk of cutting human leaders out of the loop entirely. Russia was the first nuclear power to announce an ‘automatic second-strike’ policy, turning over its launch systems to automated mode instantly if a TN missile launch was detected anywhere in the world. Other nations followed suit quickly: by 2067 all known nuclear powers had some version of this policy in effect, with thousands of new TN missiles pointed at their rivals across the globe. Only diplomatic treaties that prevented the placement of TN weapons in outer space limited the extent of this arms race.

Finally, at 20:31:28 UTC on the 4th of March, 2071, the nations of Earth launched all their TN nuclear missiles in what is now known as the Last World War. The aggressor or cause of this war is also lost to history, but as there were no significant international tensions or crises in the weeks before, it is commonly theorized that a false alarm triggered the automated second strike of one of the nuclear powers, leading all of them to instantly launch their missiles in retaliation. Within a minute, nuclear detonations in the thousands blanketed Earth’s continents, killing at least five billion instantly and kicking off a nuclear winter that plunged Earth into the darkness of a new ice age. Another three billion would die in less than a month from radiation poisoning. Two minutes later, a salvo of twenty TN missiles would hit Luna, targeted at the various substantial national colonies on that body and killing a further thirty million there. Less than two million would survive the devastation of the Earth, being those lucky enough to make it aboard the few relief ships sent from Luna.

The sudden and total loss of Earth would also cripple the survivors of humanity. By 2071, Mars, Luna, Ganymede, Europa and Io were fully terraformed with atmospheres capable of supporting human life, but the vast majority of industrial infrastructure and research capability was still located on Earth and subsequently lost. With no resupply from Earth, the numerous tiny colonies of the asteroid belt withered and died on the vine.

On Luna, internecine fighting broke out into a vicious, if ultimately limited war between the settlements of the nuclear powers that were attacked, with corporate colonies taking sides as well. Meanwhile on Mars, with the loss of central control from Earth, local governors took over in the interim and directed all resources toward rebuilding and replacing the industrial base lost on Earth before they faced total economic collapse. It was in this environment that the Confederation of Neutral Settlements was founded in May 2071, as a diplomatic avenue between twenty-two colonies to resolve disputes over territory and as a vehicle for inter-settlement trade. This would become the Federation of Mars, with a pact of mutual defense amongst its constituent colonies, and comprising about a third of all humans on Mars. Over the next seven years, the Federation would eventually grow to include all settlements on Mars, with the last holdout being the American state of Hesperia, which signed the Federation Articles in May 2079 under threat of crippling economic sanctions.

Meanwhile on the moons of Jupiter, the colonies on Io, Europa and Ganymede and Callisto were driven to unify also by economic pressures, but in this case more urgently than on Mars. Ganymede had the largest population by far amongst the four moons, and as the majority of those were corporate colonies and colonies of the minor powers on Earth, there was little cause for political fighting. The Galilean Satellite Alliance was formed in July 2071, and from its inception encompassed nearly 80% of the population of the moons, with the remainder quickly joining. The last holdout, the corporate colony of BHP-Io, joined the Alliance after a worker’s revolt in December 2076.

In July 2088, the Federation of Mars launched the first voidship purpose-built for war, the cruiser Polemos. She immediately set course for Luna, and there her captain delivered an ultimatum from the Martian Senate: cease the civil war on Luna and join the Federation, or the Federation would ‘intervene’ to stop the conflict. Under the implicit threat of orbital bombardment, the Lunar colonies agreed to a ceasefire and joined the Federation of Mars.

The Polemos Incident, as it is known today, had several far-reaching effects on Sol politics. The tiny mining colonies of Mercury petitioned to join the Federation in exchange for economic aid, while the then-independent Republic of Titan joined the Alliance, which was renamed the Outer Systems Republic. The Republic immediately began a crash-shipbuilding programme, focused on cheap and numerous gunboats. The Federation meanwhile, maintained that it would not use the threat of force to compel other polities to join, and that the Polemos Incident was solely motivated by humanitarian concerns to limit casualties so as to preserve what remained of humanity.

For the last decade, the Outer Systems Republic and the Federation of Mars have struck a balance between military expenditure and industrial expansion, neither side willing to be the aggressor in another war.

The Situation At Hand

In December 2099, with the launch of the geological survey ships RVS Andes and FNS James Hutton, both powers have signaled their intent to expand into the unclaimed and unpopulated areas of Sol, to colonize rather than rebuild, to once again spread humanity across the cosmos. Both powers have stated their desire to unite what remains of humanity, but resist being absorbed by the other. Whether the unification of humanity occurs by words or force – or if humanity will survive the latter – remains to be seen…

Structure

This will be a narrative LP, where you (the readers) submit orders for one side, and I control the other. Orders will be divided into Strategic Orders, covering what your side researches, produces and ships built (all things in the population and production window) to be submitted every year, and also Fleet Orders, where you order your ships around (can be submitted in between any updates). To reduce the need for micro, you can also leave standing orders: e.g. use all available freighters to transport automines to X until X has 100.

It’s also important to note that I will not be designing components or ships for the forum side. This is because I don’t want this game to end up as me designing ships to counter myself.

I will also not be using the espionage mechanics within the base game. Instead I will introduce a new mechanic of intel spending that consumes wealth, giving you a chance at seeing the enemy’s ship and components specs, to be explained in a later post.

Audience Participation

Aurora affords a great deal of freedom in renaming things in-game, from individual ships to system and colony names, which anyone can suggest. In terms of characters, there are 4 types to choose from:
-Naval officers command ships and thus will get a lot of mentions, but are also the most likely to die one way or another. If your character is a naval officer on a ship, your orders will take precedence for that ship.
-Ground Force Officers command ground units, which are used to invade and defend planetary colonies.
-Civilian Administrators grant bonuses to the colonies they govern. If your character is a civilian administrator, your orders for production, shipbuilding, etc. in Strategic Orders take precedence.
-Scientist research new technologies and components. If your character is a scientist, your orders for research direction in Strategic Orders take precedence.

Game settings

Real Stars off, orbital motion only for planets & moons, automatic and political promotions on, precursors and swarm on, invaders off, inexperienced fleet penalties off, maintenance on, no auto jump gates. NPR settings are secret.

House rules

-NO MISSILES! Owing to the destruction wrought by TN missiles both sides have signed a treaty to never use missile technologies again.
-No more than 2 DSTS per body. You can build more of course, but any beyond the second have to be shipped to another colony.
-Infrastructure will be converted 1 to 1 for underground infrastructure if unloaded at an asteroid. This is because I think that underground infrastructure is too limited and expensive in the base game.
-Financial Centers can be moved at one FC per standard cargo hold. Seeing as you’ll probably need to build them to keep up with intel spending.

Choice of Faction

Both factions start out with equal amounts of population (500mil), equal installations of every kind, equal amounts of starting minerals, approximately equal immediately minable minerals (about 1.5 times homeworld minerals) and research done (except weapons techs). However, their fleets differ greatly in armament and doctrine.

The Federation of Mars controls Mars, Luna and Mercury. Mars is their capital and home to all research, industry and shipyards, while Luna is a mining and financial powerhouse. Mercury is a small mining colony that is still in the process of being terraformed. A vote for the Federation is a vote for cruisers, destroyers and frigates wielding particle beams and gauss cannons.

The Outer Systems Republic controls Ganymede, Europa, Io, Callisto and Titan. Ganymede is their capital and home to industry and shipyards, Europa is their research and financial nexus, Io is the mining breadbasket and the least populous, Callisto is their fleet maintenance base. Titan is home to a small amount of mining and is also being terraformed. A vote for the Republic is a vote for gunboats, carriers and escort destroyers armed with meson cannons and railguns.

So vote for which faction we will be playing!

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on February 27, 2017, 11:53:37 am

Military Ship Classes of the Republic Void Navy

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

All the following are vessels classed as military by Aurora, civilian vessels are in the next spoiler.

Code: [Select]

Liu Bei class Gunboat    800 tons     36 Crew     85.45 BP      TCS 16  TH 38  EM 0
2375 km/s     Armour 2-7     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 4
Maint Life 4.04 Years     MSP 17    AFR 20%    IFR 0.3%    1YR 2    5YR 25    Max Repair 18.75 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 10 months    Spare Berths 1   

Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne 37.5 EP Gunboat Nuclear Thermal Engine (1)    Power 37.5    Fuel Use 131.37%    Signature 37.5    Exp 12%
Fuel Capacity 10 000 Litres    Range 1.7 billion km   (8 days at full power)

Shao Cybernetics Type 12 Meson Cannon (1)    Range 40 000km     TS: 3000 km/s     Power 4-2     RM 4    ROF 10        1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
BAE Avionics Gunboat Fire Control (1)    Max Range: 64 000 km   TS: 3000 km/s     84 69 53 37 22 6 0 0 0 0
Atomenergomash Modular Pebble Bed Reactor (2)     Total Power Output 2.16    Armour 0    Exp 16%

Thales Orbital  Gunboat Active Search Sensor (1)     GPS 192     Range 3.3m km    Resolution 40

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes


Code: [Select]

Achilles class Gunboat    1 000 tons     45 Crew     154.4 BP      TCS 20  TH 96  EM 0
4800 km/s     Armour 3-8     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 4
Maint Life 4.53 Years     MSP 48    AFR 16%    IFR 0.2%    1YR 4    5YR 57    Max Repair 48 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 1 months    Spare Berths 5   

Siemens AG 96 EP Gunboat Nuclear Pulse Engine (1)    Power 96    Fuel Use 177.47%    Signature 96    Exp 15%
Fuel Capacity 20 000 Litres    Range 2.0 billion km   (4 days at full power)

Shao Cybernetics Type 15 Meson Cannon (1)    Range 90 000km     TS: 4800 km/s     Power 6-3     RM 9    ROF 10        1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0
BAE Avionics Mod 98 Gunboat Fire Control (1)    Max Range: 96 000 km   TS: 5250 km/s     90 79 69 58 48 38 27 17 6 0
Atomenergomash Modular Pebble Bed Reactor (3)     Total Power Output 3.24    Armour 0    Exp 16%

Thales Orbital  Gunboat Target Acquistion Sensor (1)     GPS 64     Range 1.1m km    Resolution 40

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes


Code: [Select]

Moksha class Light Carrier    9 550 tons     140 Crew     946 BP      TCS 191  TH 300  EM 0
1570 km/s     Armour 3-40     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 3     PPV 0
Maint Life 2.07 Years     MSP 186    AFR 243%    IFR 3.4%    1YR 58    5YR 873    Max Repair 75 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 18 months    Flight Crew Berths 195   
Hangar Deck Capacity 4000 tons     

Rolls-Royce 150 EP Nuclear Thermal Engine (2)    Power 150    Fuel Use 56%    Signature 150    Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 500 000 Litres    Range 16.8 billion km   (124 days at full power)

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes


Code: [Select]

Nelson class Carrier    12 000 tons     208 Crew     1500.4 BP      TCS 240  TH 600  EM 0
2500 km/s     Armour 4-46     Shields 0-0     Sensors 55/22/0/0     Damage Control Rating 6     PPV 0
Maint Life 1.97 Years     MSP 469    AFR 192%    IFR 2.7%    1YR 160    5YR 2401    Max Repair 150 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 18 months    Flight Crew Berths 225   
Hangar Deck Capacity 5000 tons     

Siemens AG 300 EP Nuclear Pulse Engine (2)    Power 300    Fuel Use 85.6%    Signature 300    Exp 12%
Fuel Capacity 500 000 Litres    Range 8.8 billion km   (40 days at full power)

Thales Orbital Active Search Sensor (1)     GPS 3200     Range 55.7m km    Resolution 40
Raymarine Electronics Thermal Sensor (1)     Sensitivity 55     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  55m km
Marconi Electronics EM Detection Sensor (1)     Sensitivity 22     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  22m km

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes


Code: [Select]

Marius class Destroyer Escort    4 500 tons     148 Crew     668.8 BP      TCS 90  TH 300  EM 0
3333 km/s     Armour 4-24     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 2     PPV 21
Maint Life 2.76 Years     MSP 232    AFR 64%    IFR 0.9%    1YR 44    5YR 660    Max Repair 150 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 18 months    Spare Berths 0   

Siemens AG 300 EP Nuclear Pulse Engine (1)    Power 300    Fuel Use 85.6%    Signature 300    Exp 12%
Fuel Capacity 250 000 Litres    Range 11.7 billion km   (40 days at full power)

Channar Kinetics 200mm Railgun (3x4)    Range 120 000km     TS: 3333 km/s     Power 12-4     RM 3    ROF 15        4 4 4 3 2 2 1 1 1 1
Channar ES 200mm Railgun Fire Control (1)    Max Range: 144 000 km   TS: 3750 km/s     93 86 79 72 65 58 51 44 37 31
Atomenergomash Modular Pebble Bed Reactor (12)     Total Power Output 12.96    Armour 0    Exp 16%

Thales Orbital Active Search Sensor (1)     GPS 3200     Range 55.7m km    Resolution 40

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes


Code: [Select]

R-1 'Falcon' class Fighter    490 tons     4 Crew     73.5 BP      TCS 9.79  TH 48  EM 0
4902 km/s     Armour 1-5     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 3
Maint Life 6.87 Years     MSP 23    AFR 7%    IFR 0.1%    1YR 1    5YR 13    Max Repair 24 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 0.1 months    Spare Berths 0   

Chapman Thrust 200 Ton NPE-48 High Performance Fighter Engine (1)    Power 48    Fuel Use 185.18%    Signature 48    Exp 15%
Fuel Capacity 5 000 Litres    Range 1.0 billion km   (56 hours at full power)

Price Systems 100mm 'Kineti-kill' Railgun (1x4)    Range 30 000km     TS: 4902 km/s     Power 3-3     RM 3    ROF 5        1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fuller-Hunter OSR/APG-04 Mark LX-48K Targeting System (1)    Max Range: 96 000 km   TS: 6000 km/s     90 79 69 58 48 38 27 17 6 0
Chapman Thrust 45 Ton PBR-3.1 Power System (1)     Total Power Output 3.1    Armour 0    Exp 12%

Fuller-Hunter OSR/APS-01 Active Search Lidar (1)     GPS 15     Range 520k km    Resolution 9
Fuller-Hunter OSR/AQR-03 Thermal Bloom Sensor (1)     Sensitivity 1     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  1m km
Fuller-Hunter OSR/ADR-02 Electromagnetic Sensor (1)     Sensitivity 1.1     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  1.1m km

This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and maintenance purposes

Code: [Select]

Persus class Raider    1 000 tons     33 Crew     171.4 BP      TCS 20  TH 96  EM 0
4800 km/s     Armour 3-8     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 3
Maint Life 5.1 Years     MSP 54    AFR 16%    IFR 0.2%    1YR 3    5YR 52    Max Repair 48 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 9 months    Spare Berths 0   

Siemens AG 96 EP Gunboat Nuclear Pulse Engine (1)    Power 96    Fuel Use 177.47%    Signature 96    Exp 15%
Fuel Capacity 40 000 Litres    Range 4.1 billion km   (9 days at full power)

Price Systems 100mm 'Kineti-kill' Railgun (1x4)    Range 30 000km     TS: 4800 km/s     Power 3-3     RM 3    ROF 5        1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BAE Avionics Mod 98 Gunboat Fire Control (1)    Max Range: 96 000 km   TS: 5250 km/s     90 79 69 58 48 38 27 17 6 0
Chapman Thrust 45 Ton PBR-3.1 Power System (1)     Total Power Output 3.1    Armour 0    Exp 12%

Thales Orbital  Gunboat Target Acquistion Sensor (1)     GPS 64     Range 1.1m km    Resolution 40
Fuller-Hunter OSR/AQR-03 Thermal Bloom Sensor (1)     Sensitivity 1     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  1m km
Fuller-Hunter OSR/ADR-02 Electromagnetic Sensor (1)     Sensitivity 1.1     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  1.1m km

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes

Civilian Ship Classes of the Republic

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Code: [Select]

Gallipoli class Troop Transport    14 050 tons     125 Crew     472.2 BP      TCS 281  TH 600  EM 0
2135 km/s     Armour 3-51     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 1     PPV 0
MSP 21    Max Repair 50 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months    Spare Berths 3   
Troop Capacity: 2 Battalions    Cargo Handling Multiplier 10   

Daimler AG 200 EP Commercial Nuclear Pulse Engine (3)    Power 200    Fuel Use 6.19%    Signature 200    Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 50 000 Litres    Range 10.3 billion km   (56 days at full power)

This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes


Code: [Select]

Andes class Geological Survey Vessel    3 700 tons     55 Crew     358.6 BP      TCS 74  TH 200  EM 0
2702 km/s     Armour 1-21     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/2     Damage Control Rating 1     PPV 0
MSP 61    Max Repair 100 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 36 months    Spare Berths 1   

Daimler AG 200 EP Commercial Nuclear Pulse Engine (1)    Power 200    Fuel Use 6.19%    Signature 200    Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 250 000 Litres    Range 196.4 billion km   (841 days at full power)

Geological Survey Sensors (2)   2 Survey Points Per Hour

This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes


Code: [Select]

Amirani class Freighter    47 050 tons     265 Crew     753 BP      TCS 941  TH 1600  EM 0
1700 km/s     Armour 1-116     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 1     PPV 0
MSP 10    Max Repair 50 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months    Spare Berths 1   
Cargo 25000    Cargo Handling Multiplier 25   

Daimler AG 200 EP Commercial Nuclear Pulse Engine (8)    Power 200    Fuel Use 6.19%    Signature 200    Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 300 000 Litres    Range 18.5 billion km   (126 days at full power)

This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes


Code: [Select]

Barnard class Colony Ship    47 150 tons     360 Crew     1730 BP      TCS 943  TH 1600  EM 0
1696 km/s     Armour 1-116     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 1     PPV 0
MSP 23    Max Repair 50 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months    Spare Berths 0   
Cryogenic Berths 100000    Cargo Handling Multiplier 25   

Daimler AG 200 EP Commercial Nuclear Pulse Engine (8)    Power 200    Fuel Use 6.19%    Signature 200    Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 300 000 Litres    Range 18.5 billion km   (126 days at full power)

This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes


Order of Battle of the Republic Void Navy

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

1st Carrier Fleet:
CV Horatio Nelson (Nelson-class)
-5x Achilles class Gunboat
DE Simon Marius (Marius-class)
DE William Herschel (Marius-Class)

2nd Carrier Fleet:
CV Togo Heihachiro (Nelson-class)
-5x Achilles class Gunboat
DE Giovanno Cassini (Marius-Class)
DE Christiaan Huygens (Marius-Class)

Auxiliary Carrier Fleet:
CVL Moksha (Moksha-class)
-5x Liu Bei class Gunboat

Home Defense Squadron Alpha:
10x Achilles class Gunboat

Home Defense Squadron Beta:
10x Achilles class Gunboat

Home Defense Squadron Titan:
5x Liu Bei class Gunboat

Raider Squadron Alpha
5x Persus class Raider

Planetary Bases Ganymede:
RNB Tapperhet (Quiver-class Fighter Base)
-9x R-1 Falcon class Fighter
Sky Watcher Ganymede (Sky Watcher-class Sensor Outpost)

Planetary Bases Titan
Sky Watcher Titan (Sky Watcher-class Sensor Outpost)

Technological Progress of the Republic

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

BIOLOGY/GENETICS
Terraforming Rate 0.002atm

CONSTRUCTION/PRODUCTION
Trans-Newtonian Technology
Construction Rate 16BP
Expand Civ Economy (10kRP)
Fighter Production Rate 14BP
Fuel Production 56000 liters
Mining Production 16 tons
Research Rate 280RP
Shipbuilding Rate 750 BP
Shipyard Ops 10% T/C Saving
Underground Excavation

LOGISTICS/GROUND COMBAT
Boat Bay(small) & Hangar Deck
Cargo Handling System
Cryo Trans (small&emergency)
Flag Bridge
Garrison Battalion
Mobile Inf Battalion
Replacement Battalion
Assault Inf Battalion
Brigade Headquarters
Ground Unit Strength 14
Fuel Storage(large/tiny/verylarge)
Engineering(small/tiny)
Orbital Hab Module
StS Tractor Beam
Troop Transport Bay

DEFENSIVE SYSTEMS
Beta Shields
Shield Regen Rate 1.5
Cloaking Theory
Composite Armour

ENERGY WEAPONS
15cm Meson Focal Size
Meson Focusing Tech 3
Turret Tracking Speed 4kkm/s

MISSILE/KINETIC WEAPONS
20cm Railgun
Railgun Launch Velocity 3

POWER & PROPULSION
Capacitor Recharge Rate 4
Fuel Consumption 0.7 Litres/EP
Maximum Engine Power Mod x1.5
Minimum Engine Power Mod x0.4
Pebble Bed Reactor Tech
Nuclear Pulse Engine Tech
Reactor Power Boost 20%

SENSORS & FIRE CONTROL
Active Grav Sensor Strength 16
Beam FC Range 24k km
Electronic Warfare
EM Sensor Sensitivity 11
Thermal Sensor Sensitivity 11
Geological Survey Sensors
Fire Control Speed Rating 3k km/s
Planetary Sensor Strength 300

Ground Units of the Republic Army

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/aRWojV2.png)

Known Federation Ship Classes

Spoiler: Military (click to show/hide)

Jaguar-designate Cruiser
Actual name: unknown Max Speed Observed: 1950 kps Thermal Signature: 175
Known Ships in Class: CA Hubris
Kingfisher-designate Destroyer
Actual name: unknown Max Speed Observed: 3000 kps Size: 3250 tons Thermal Signature: 195
Known Ships in Class: DD Hatsuyuki
Rattlesnake-designate Frigate
Actual name: unknown Max Speed Observed: 3000 kps Size: 1600 tons Thermal Signature: 96
Known Ships in Class: FF Domovoy 002

Spoiler: Civilian (click to show/hide)

Hellas-class Freighter
Max Speed Observed: 1702 kps Thermal Signature: 1600
7 in class
Tarantula-designate Colony Ship
Max Speed Observed: 1875 kps Thermal Signature: 1000
2 in class
Panther-designate Colony Ship
Max Speed Observed: 1269 kps Thermal Signature: 1000 (CIVILIAN OWNED)
1 in class
Alligator-designate Freighter
Max Speed Observed: 775 kps Thermal Signature: 1000 (CIVILIAN OWNED)
1 in class

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on February 27, 2017, 11:54:00 am

Technologies Available for Research

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

BIOLOGY/GENETICS
Genome Sequence Research (5000 RP)
Terraforming Module (5000 RP)
Terraforming Rate 0.0025atm (20000 RP)

CONSTRUCTION/PRODUCTION
Asteroid Mining Module (5000 RP)
Construction Rate 20BP (20000 RP)
Expand Civ Economy (20000 RP)
Fighter Production Rate 16BP (10000 RP)
Fuel Production 64000 liters (10000 RP)
Mining Production 20 tons (20000 RP)
Research Rate 320RP (20000 RP)
Shipbuilding Rate 1000 BP (20000 RP)
Shipyard Ops 20% T/C Saving (10000 RP)
Sorium Harvester (5000 RP)

LOGISTICS/GROUND COMBAT
Additional Maintenance Storage (1000 RP)
Colonization Cost Reduction 5% (10000 RP)
Combat Drop Module - Battalion (3000 RP)
Combat Drop Module - Company (6000 RP)
Combat Engineer Battalion (10000 RP)
Construction Brigade (5000 RP)
Divisional Headquarters (10000 RP)
Engineering Section - Fighter (6000 RP)
Fuel Storage - Ultra Large (5000 RP)
Ground Unit Strength 16 (4000 RP)
Heavy Assault Battalion (10000 RP)
Improved Cargo Handling System (10000 RP)
Improved Command and Control (5000 RP)
Maintenance Module (5000 RP)
Marine Battalion (10000 RP)
Salvage Module 500 (5000 RP)
Small Troop Transport Bay (2000 RP)

DEFENSIVE SYSTEMS
Ceramic Composite Armour (10000 RP)
Gamma Shields (4000 RP)
Shield Regen Rate 2 (4000 RP)
Cloak Sensor Reduction 75% (4000 RP)
Cloaking Efficiency 3 (4000 RP)
Minimum Cloak Size 25 (1000 RP)
Damage Control (5000 RP)
Thermal Reduction 75% (1500 RP)

ENERGY WEAPONS
10cm Laser Focal Size (1000 RP)
10cm Microwave Focal Size (1000 RP)
15cm Carronade (1000 RP)
20cm Meson Focal Size (8000 RP)
Infrared Laser (500 RP)
Meson Focusing Tech 4 (8000 RP)
Microwave Focusing Tech 1 (1000 RP)
Particle Beam Range 60kkm (1000 RP)
Particle Beam Strength 2 (2000 RP)
Reduced Size Laser 0.75 - 4x (5000 RP)
Spinal Mount (5000 RP)
Turret Tracking Speed 5kkm/s (8000 RP)

MISSILE/KINETIC WEAPONS
25cm Railgun (10000 RP)
Railgun Launch Velocity 4 (8000 RP)
Gauss Cannon Launch Velocity 1 (1000 RP)
Gauss Cannon RoF 1 (1000 RP)

POWER & PROPULSION
Capacitor Recharge Rate 5 (15000 RP)
Fuel Consumption 0.6 Litres/EP (8000 RP)
Maximum Engine Power Mod x1.75 (4000 RP)
Minimum Engine Power Mod x0.3 (2000 RP)
Reactor Power Boost 25% (7500 RP)
Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor (6000 RP)
Jump Point Theory (5000 RP)

SENSORS & FIRE CONTROL
Active Grav Sensor Strength 21 (8000 RP)
Beam FC Range 32k km (8000 RP)
ECCM 1 (5000 RP)
ECM 1 (5000 RP)
Electronic Hardening 1 (2500 RP)
EM Sensor Sensitivity 14 (15000 RP)
Thermal Sensor Sensitivity 14 (15000 RP)
Improved Geological Sensors (10000 RP)
Fire Control Speed Rating 4k km/s (8000 RP)
Planetary Sensor Strength 400 (5000 RP)

Ship Components Designed

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The numbers in brackets after each component are my personal notation on the base techs used.

Code: [Select]

ACTIVE SENSORS:---------------------------------------------------------

Thales Orbital Gunboat Active Search Sensor
Active Sensor Strength: 4.8   Sensitivity Modifier: 110%
Sensor Size: 0.4 HS    Sensor HTK: 0
Resolution: 40    Maximum Range vs 2000 ton object (or larger): 3 330 000 km
Range vs 1000 ton object: 832 500 km
Range vs 250 ton object: 52 031 km
Chance of destruction by electronic damage: 100%
Cost: 5    Crew: 1
Materials Required: 5x Uridium

Development Cost for Project: 50RP
(12-11-0.4-40-0-S)

Thales Orbital Gunboat Target Acquistion Sensor
Active Sensor Strength: 1.6   Sensitivity Modifier: 110%
Sensor Size: 0.1 HS    Sensor HTK: 0
Resolution: 40    Maximum Range vs 2000 ton object (or larger): 1 110 000 km
Range vs 1000 ton object: 277 500 km
Range vs 250 ton object: 17 344 km
Chance of destruction by electronic damage: 100%
Cost: 2    Crew: 0
Materials Required: 2x Uridium

Development Cost for Project: 20RP
(16-11-0.1-40-0-S)

Thales Orbital Active Search Sensor
Active Sensor Strength: 80   Sensitivity Modifier: 110%
Sensor Size: 5 HS    Sensor HTK: 1
Resolution: 40    Maximum Range vs 2000 ton object (or larger): 55 650 000 km
Range vs 1000 ton object: 13 912 500 km
Range vs 250 ton object: 869 531 km
Chance of destruction by electronic damage: 100%
Cost: 80    Crew: 10
Materials Required: 80x Uridium

Development Cost for Project: 800RP
(16-11-5-40-0-s)

Fuller-Hunter OSR/APS-01 Active Search Lidar
Active Sensor Strength: 1.6   Sensitivity Modifier: 110%
Sensor Size: 0.1 HS    Sensor HTK: 0
Resolution: 9    Maximum Range vs 450 ton object (or larger): 520 000 km
Range vs 1000 ton object: 520 000 km
Range vs 250 ton object: 160 494 km
Chance of destruction by electronic damage: 100%
Cost: 2    Crew: 0
Materials Required: 2x Uridium

Development Cost for Project: 20RP
(16-11-0.1-9-0-s)

BEAM FIRE CONTROL:------------------------------------------------------

BAE Avionics Gunboat Fire Control
50% Accuracy at Range: 32 000 km     Tracking Speed: 3000 km/s
Size: 1 HS    HTK: 1    Cost: 14    Crew: 4
Chance of destruction by electronic damage: 100%
Materials Required: 14x Uridium

Development Cost for Project: 140RP
(16k-3k-2x-n-0-s-n)

BAE Avionics Mod 98 Gunboat Fire Control
50% Accuracy at Range: 48 000 km     Tracking Speed: 5250 km/s
Size: 1.7 HS    HTK: 1    Cost: 38    Crew: 7
Chance of destruction by electronic damage: 100%
Materials Required: 38x Uridium

Development Cost for Project: 380RP
(24k-3k-2x-1.75x-0-s-n)

Channar ES 200mm Railgun Fire Control
50% Accuracy at Range: 72 000 km     Tracking Speed: 3750 km/s
Size: 1.9 HS    HTK: 1    Cost: 40    Crew: 8
Chance of destruction by electronic damage: 100%
Materials Required: 40x Uridium

Development Cost for Project: 400RP
(24k-3k-3x-1.25x-0-s-n)

Fuller-Hunter OSR/APG-04 Mark LX-48K Targeting System
50% Accuracy at Range: 48 000 km     Tracking Speed: 6000 km/s
Size: 0.5 HS    HTK: 0    Cost: 11    Crew: 2
Chance of destruction by electronic damage: 100%
Fighter Only
Materials Required: 11x Uridium

Development Cost for Project: 110RP
(24k-3k-2x-0.5x-0-s-f)

EM DETECTION SENSORS:---------------------------------------------------

Marconi Electronics EM Detection Sensor
EM Sensitivity: 22
Sensor Size: 2 HS    Sensor HTK: 1
Chance of destruction by electronic damage: 100%
Cost: 22    Crew: 4
Materials Required: 22x Uridium

Development Cost for Project: 220RP
(11-2-0)

Fuller-Hunter OSR/ADR-02 Electromagnetic Sensor
EM Sensitivity: 1.1
Sensor Size: 0.1 HS    Sensor HTK: 0
Chance of destruction by electronic damage: 100%
Cost: 1    Crew: 0
Materials Required: 1x Uridium

Development Cost for Project: 10RP
(11-0.1-0)

ENGINES:----------------------------------------------------------------

Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne 37.5 EP Gunboat Nuclear Thermal Engine
Engine Power: 37.5     Fuel Use Per Hour: 49.26 Litres
Fuel Consumption per Engine Power Hour: 1.314 Litres
Engine Size: 6 HS    Engine HTK: 3
Thermal Signature: 37.5     Exp Chance: 12
Cost: 18.75    Crew: 7
Materials Required: 18.75x Gallicite
Military Engine

Development Cost for Project: 188RP
(NTE-1.25-0.8-100-6)

Rolls-Royce 150 EP Nuclear Thermal Engine
Engine Power: 150     Fuel Use Per Hour: 84 Litres
Fuel Consumption per Engine Power Hour: 0.56 Litres
Engine Size: 30 HS    Engine HTK: 15
Thermal Signature: 150     Exp Chance: 10
Cost: 75    Crew: 30
Materials Required: 75x Gallicite
Military Engine

Development Cost for Project: 750RP
(NTE-1-0.8-100-30)

Siemens AG 96 EP Gunboat Nuclear Pulse Engine
Engine Power: 96     Fuel Use Per Hour: 170.37 Litres
Fuel Consumption per Engine Power Hour: 1.775 Litres
Engine Size: 8 HS    Engine HTK: 4
Thermal Signature: 96     Exp Chance: 15
Cost: 48    Crew: 12
Materials Required: 48x Gallicite
Military Engine

Development Cost for Project: 480RP
(NPE-1.5-0.7-100-8)

Siemens AG 300 EP Nuclear Pulse Engine
Engine Power: 300     Fuel Use Per Hour: 256.8 Litres
Fuel Consumption per Engine Power Hour: 0.856 Litres
Engine Size: 30 HS    Engine HTK: 15
Thermal Signature: 300     Exp Chance: 12
Cost: 150    Crew: 37
Materials Required: 150x Gallicite
Military Engine

Development Cost for Project: 1500RP
(NPE-1.25-0.7-100-30)

Daimler AG 200 EP Commercial Nuclear Pulse Engine
Engine Power: 200     Fuel Use Per Hour: 12.38 Litres
Fuel Consumption per Engine Power Hour: 0.062 Litres
Engine Size: 50 HS    Engine HTK: 25
Thermal Signature: 200     Exp Chance: 5
Cost: 50    Crew: 25
Materials Required: 50x Gallicite
Commercial Engine

Development Cost for Project: 500RP
(NPE-0.5-0.7-100-50)

Chapman Thrust 200 Ton NPE-48 High Performance Fighter Engine
Engine Power: 48     Fuel Use Per Hour: 88.89 Litres
Fuel Consumption per Engine Power Hour: 1.852 Litres
Engine Size: 4 HS    Engine HTK: 2
Thermal Signature: 48     Exp Chance: 15
Cost: 24    Crew: 6
Materials Required: 24x Gallicite
Military Engine

Development Cost for Project: 240RP
(NPE-1.5-0.7-100-4)

MESON CANNON:-----------------------------------------------------------

Shao Cybernetics Type 12 Meson Cannon
Max Range 40 000 km     Rate of Fire: 10 seconds     Focus Modifier: 2
Meson Cannon Size: 4 HS    Meson Cannon HTK: 2
Power Requirement: 4    Power Recharge per 5 Secs: 2
Cost: 5    Crew: 20
Materials Required: 1x Duranium  1x Boronide  3x Corundium

Development Cost for Project: 600RP
(12-2-2)

Shao Cybernetics Type 15 Meson Cannon
Max Range 90 000 km     Rate of Fire: 10 seconds     Focus Modifier: 3
Meson Cannon Size: 4 HS    Meson Cannon HTK: 2
Power Requirement: 6    Power Recharge per 5 Secs: 3
Cost: 10    Crew: 20
Materials Required: 2x Duranium  2x Boronide  6x Corundium

Development Cost for Project: 1200RP
(15-3-3)

POWER PLANTS:-----------------------------------------------------------

Atomenergomash Modular Pebble Bed Reactor
Power Output: 1.08     Explosion Chance: 16
Reactor Size: 0.3 HS    Reactor HTK: 0
Cost: 3    Crew: 1
Materials Required: 3x Boronide

Development Cost for Project: 30RP
(PBR-20-0.3)

Chapman Thrust 45 Ton PBR-3.1 Power System
Power Output: 3.105     Explosion Chance: 12
Reactor Size: 0.9 HS    Reactor HTK: 0
Cost: 9    Crew: 2
Materials Required: 9x Boronide

Development Cost for Project: 90RP
(PBR-15-0.9)

RAILGUNS:--------------------------------------------------------------

Channar Kinetics 200mm Railgun
Damage Per Shot (4): 4     Rate of Fire: 15 seconds     Range Modifier: 3
Max Range 120 000 km     Railgun Size: 7 HS    Railgun HTK: 3
Power Requirement: 12    Power Recharge per 5 Secs: 4
Cost: 41    Crew: 21
Materials Required: 8.2x Duranium  8.2x Boronide  24.6x Neutronium

Development Cost for Project: 975RP
(20-3-4)

Price Systems 100mm 'Kineti-kill' Railgun
Damage Per Shot (4): 1     Rate of Fire: 5 seconds     Range Modifier: 3
Max Range 30 000 km     Railgun Size: 3 HS    Railgun HTK: 1
Power Requirement: 3    Power Recharge per 5 Secs: 3
Cost: 15    Crew: 9
Materials Required: 3x Duranium  3x Boronide  9x Neutronium

Development Cost for Project: 450RP
(10-3-3)

THERMAL SENSORS:-------------------------------------------------------

Raymarine Electronics Thermal Sensor
Thermal Sensor Sensitivity: 55
Sensor Size: 5 HS    Sensor HTK: 1
Chance of destruction by electronic damage: 100%
Cost: 55    Crew: 10
Materials Required: 55x Uridium

Development Cost for Project: 550RP
(11-5-0)

Fuller-Hunter OSR/AQR-03 Thermal Bloom Sensor
Thermal Sensor Sensitivity: 1
Sensor Size: 0.1 HS    Sensor HTK: 0
Chance of destruction by electronic damage: 100%
Cost: 1    Crew: 0
Materials Required: 1x Uridium

Development Cost for Project: 10RP
(11-0.1-0)

Scientist Ratings and Bonuses

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Admin Rating multiplied by 5 is the number of labs a scientist can manage, so an A3 scientist can manage up to 15 labs to research a project. Specialty bonus is a multiplier of 4xlisted bonus for that field and 1x otherwise, so a PP10% scientist will generate 4x10=40% more RP when researching a Power and Propulsion topic, or 10% more if researching a topic in any of the other fields.

Su Shu Long - A5 - DS20%
Chhaya Pothuval - A6 - MK30%
George Nicholson - A4 - PP10%
Ruma Hallur - A3 -EW10%
Lauren Sharp - A2 - SF10%
Happerry - A1 - PP30%

The Ceres Accords

Spoiler: Ceres Accords (click to show/hide)

Ceres Accords - ratified 20th May, 2100

Hartley Convention on Claim and Transit Rights
Here 'asteroid' is shorthand for asteroids, trojan asteroids, comets, moons (except those of the inner six planets) and dwarf planets
1. Each power will have an equal number of asteroid claims at the time of this accord, verified in the least intrusive manner possible by the other power.
2. Each power may make one more claim at any time if they have equal or lesser number of total claims than the other power. The power with more claims may not make a claim except under point 3.
3. Each power will be entitled to claim at a minimum rate of one asteroid per six months, if the other power has not matched their number of claims in that period.
4. The claiming of an asteroid will be verified in the least intrusive manner possible by the other power, and a legitimate claim is defined as having at least one installation on the body in question, with the exception of purely colonial infrastructure.
5. A claim to a body will include a 10 million km exclusion cordon of space around the body, in which any ships (military or civilian) of the other power may not pass, excepting the circumstances in point 6.
6. In the case of comets and other 'moving' bodies, such an exclusion cordon will not apply at all within 230 million km of the sun, or 230 million km of the current position of Jupiter, and the powers controlling those spaces will be allowed to pass any ships at any distance from the comet colony. The claiming power may not station any military ships at the comet, but is allowed to transit civilian ships within the other power's sphere of influence to their colony, subject to inspection.
7. Civilian mining operations shall be considered a claim for their parent power, without being counted for or subjected to the restrictions on claims in points 1, 2 and 3.

Hanzoku Agreement on Survey Rights
Both powers shall have the right to freely conduct geological surveys of unclaimed bodies, outside of the area within 230 million km of the sun or 230 million km of current position of Jupiter or Saturn. If a body has already been claimed by the other power under the Hartley Convention prior to survey, both powers have the right to request for a one-time mineral count of that body.

The Klotho Deal
The Federation shall pay the Republic 10,000 tons of Duranium and 24 tons of Uridium, delivered to a location of the Republic's choosing, and in return the Republic shall remove its mines from the main-belt asteroid Klotho and acknowledge the Federation claim to it, both by the handover date of June 11th, 2100.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: TalonisWolf on February 27, 2017, 12:50:07 pm

PTW

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on February 28, 2017, 04:06:25 am

I'll vote for the Outer System Republic - It'll be interesting to have a game without overwhelming missile strikes being the main tactic. railgun fighters > gauss cruisers.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Lorknis on February 28, 2017, 09:33:21 am

Not to be a contrarian but I'm a fan of the Federation of Mars route. Long live the Federation!

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Sheb on February 28, 2017, 09:35:37 am

Outer System Republic

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 01, 2017, 04:13:22 am

Well, the Republic is leading by replies to this thread, but the Federation is leading on the poll up there. I'll let this run for another day or so, then I'll take the poll results. So if you haven't voted in the poll up there, best to do so.

I've also come up with a set of rules for the espionage mechanic. Basically every new year, a part of your wealth will be devoted to spending on your intelligence services for the coming year (deducted via SM). Initial spending for the first year of the game will be 2000 wealth, divided equally into espionage and internal security spending (offensive/defensive), and these amounts can be individually changed up or down between +10% or -5% of the previous year's spending in the strategic orders.

So for the first year, your spending on espionage will be 1000 wealth. Each 100 wealth is one point of espionage (excess not counted), making one d10 roll to breach the opponent's internal security. Internal security is also counted in points at 100:1 ratio, and the chances of successful security breach change according to the defender's intsec points left.

Defender Points left	Attacker chance of success
>3	10%
3	20%
2	30%
1	40%
0	70%

For every failure of the attacker, the defender's points are reduced by 1. All successes and the info gained will only be reported at the end of the year.

If an attack is successful, there are 4 types of info that the attacker can gain.
-Components (50%)
selected from among all the components in use by the defender (ships still mounting them). If a strictly superior (base-tech wise) one exists, it will be picked instead. If the attacker has sufficient base tech, they can also build the stolen component. Attacker also knows all ships mounting that component.
-Technologies (10%)
selected from among all techs the defender has that the attacker doesn't have. 20% progress toward that tech, 40% if the defender is greater than one level of that tech ahead.
-Population info (10%)
selected from populations >5m, attacker knows name, population, type & number of non-shipyard installations, governor bonuses of and ground units stationed on a colony. If already known within last 15 years, pick another colony.
-Ship class info (30%)
selected from military classes with at least 3 built ships, weighted by total number in class. attacker knows the true name, and one of (max speed)(deployment time & maint. life)(armour/shields level)(tonnage & crew & BP)

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 02, 2017, 06:39:48 am

Alright, the poll shows the Republic leading 5-3, so we'll be playing as the Outer Systems Republic. Expect a lot of info coming down the pipeline shortly, but for now here's the ships available to us.

Doctrine of the Republic Void Navy

The Republic’s fleet doctrine was originally based around squadrons of small, fast gunboats for the defense of the four Galilean Moons. Cheap and quickly-built gunboats were attractive to the newly commissioned officers in the wake of the Polemos Incident, when the Republic had urgent needs of warships for deterrence and could not afford the delay to build more conventional vessels. With the extremely short distances involved (2.3m km between Io and Callisto in opposition), fuel endurance was sacrificed in favor of speed of response, and it is generally believed by Republic fleet planners that their gunboats are faster than any ships of the Federation. It is commonly thought that the emphasis on ‘distributed attack capability’ (referencing the ability of gunboat squadrons to lose substantial amounts tonnage-wise and still be somewhat combat-capable) reflects an intended ‘defence-in-depth’ at each moon, however Republic doctrine calls for the Home Defense Squadrons to gather and attack en masse any Federation battlegroups crossing the Sinope Cordon before they come in range of the inhabited moons, thus safeguarding the critical shipyards at Ganymede, and also sidestepping the politically thorny questions of which of the four moons should have the most ships dedicated to its defense.

The accession of the Republic of Titan to the Ganymede Satellite Alliance also presented quite the conundrum to the fleet planners. The orbital period of Saturn is just under three times that of Jupiter, guaranteeing periods where the inner system would lie between the two and rendering Titan open to a Federation blockade or outright invasion without the bulk of the RVN to interfere. Even without enemy actions, the range of the gunboats was insufficient to reach Titan when the two giant planets were in opposition, 2.21b km apart. The obvious solution was the construction of Titan Fleet Base, capable of maintaining vessels up to 1000 tons in size and allowing a squadron of gunboats to be based there for the defense of Titan. Despite this, the problem of defending Titan against a sufficiently large Federation attack is still unsolved, with the only consolation being that mustering such a fleet would leave Mars and Luna inadequately defended against Republic counterattack. In recent years, local politicians have also called for a greater portion of the fleet to be based at Titan, and there is discontent that all the gunboats there are of the older and slower Liu Bei-class.

Ship classes of the Republic Void Navy

Liu Bei-class Gunboat

Code: [Select]

Liu Bei class Gunboat    800 tons     36 Crew     85.45 BP      TCS 16  TH 38  EM 0
2375 km/s     Armour 2-7     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 4
Maint Life 4.04 Years     MSP 17    AFR 20%    IFR 0.3%    1YR 2    5YR 25    Max Repair 18.75 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 10 months    Spare Berths 1   

Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne 37.5 EP Gunboat Nuclear Thermal Engine (1)    Power 37.5    Fuel Use 131.37%    Signature 37.5    Exp 12%
Fuel Capacity 10 000 Litres    Range 1.7 billion km   (8 days at full power)

Shao Cybernetics Type 12 Meson Cannon (1)    Range 40 000km     TS: 3000 km/s     Power 4-2     RM 4    ROF 10        1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
BAE Avionics Gunboat Fire Control (1)    Max Range: 64 000 km   TS: 3000 km/s     84 69 53 37 22 6 0 0 0 0
Atomenergomash Modular Pebble Bed Reactor (2)     Total Power Output 2.16    Armour 0    Exp 16%

Thales Orbital  Gunboat Active Search Sensor (1)     GPS 192     Range 3.3m km    Resolution 40

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
Designed and produced in 2088-2093, the Liu Bei-class gunboats were the first warships of the RVN, weighing in at only 800 tons of void displacement. They mount a type 12 meson cannon capable of shooting directly at the internals of enemy ships, and an onboard active search sensor to find the enemy. In the current era of void combat, its nuclear thermal engines render it uselessly slow, and as a consequence it has been relegated only to defensive duties, although critics note that there is a danger of being outranged owing to the short range of its mesons.

10 gunboats of this type are in service, 5 as the attack wing of the Auxiliary Carrier Fleet and 5 as Home Defense Squadron Titan.

Achilles-class Gunboat

Code: [Select]

Achilles class Gunboat    1 000 tons     45 Crew     154.4 BP      TCS 20  TH 96  EM 0
4800 km/s     Armour 3-8     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 4
Maint Life 4.53 Years     MSP 48    AFR 16%    IFR 0.2%    1YR 4    5YR 57    Max Repair 48 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 1 months    Spare Berths 5   

Siemens AG 96 EP Gunboat Nuclear Pulse Engine (1)    Power 96    Fuel Use 177.47%    Signature 96    Exp 15%
Fuel Capacity 20 000 Litres    Range 2.0 billion km   (4 days at full power)

Shao Cybernetics Type 15 Meson Cannon (1)    Range 90 000km     TS: 4800 km/s     Power 6-3     RM 9    ROF 10        1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0
BAE Avionics Mod 98 Gunboat Fire Control (1)    Max Range: 96 000 km   TS: 5250 km/s     90 79 69 58 48 38 27 17 6 0
Atomenergomash Modular Pebble Bed Reactor (3)     Total Power Output 3.24    Armour 0    Exp 16%

Thales Orbital  Gunboat Target Acquistion Sensor (1)     GPS 64     Range 1.1m km    Resolution 40

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
The invention of nuclear pulse engines combined with the concept of void carriers as means of power projections resulted in the unveiling of the first Achilles-class gunboats in 2095. They are much faster and better armored than their predecessors, and carry longer-ranged type 15 meson cannons as well. However, sacrifices were made to achieve this extreme level of speed, and the Achilles mount only a rudimentary active sensor suitable only for target acquisition purposes rather than area search. Furthermore, the living quarters are among the smallest and most spartan of all ships, rated for only a month-long independent deployment, severely limiting their strategic usefulness outside of their carriers and the colonies.

30 gunboats of this type are in service, 5 in each attack squadron of the two main carrier fleets, and 10 each in Home Defense Squadrons Alpha and Beta.

Moksha-class Light Carrier

Code: [Select]

Moksha class Light Carrier    9 550 tons     140 Crew     946 BP      TCS 191  TH 300  EM 0
1570 km/s     Armour 3-40     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 3     PPV 0
Maint Life 2.07 Years     MSP 186    AFR 243%    IFR 3.4%    1YR 58    5YR 873    Max Repair 75 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 18 months    Flight Crew Berths 195   
Hangar Deck Capacity 4000 tons     

Rolls-Royce 150 EP Nuclear Thermal Engine (2)    Power 150    Fuel Use 56%    Signature 150    Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 500 000 Litres    Range 16.8 billion km   (124 days at full power)

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
RVS Moksha was the archetype for a sea change in Republic doctrine: the use of void carriers analogous to wet-navy carriers as a means of power projection given the limited fuel endurance of the gunboats. Unfortunately, her construction in 2094 on the eve of the invention of nuclear pulse engines meant that she was obsoleted less than a year after launch, owing to her speed. The Moksha-class is a carrier of barest essentials; she mounts no weapons or sensors at all, but she is still useful as a base for gunboats given the relatively luxurious accommodations for the gunboat crews. Her hangar space of 4000 tons was designed for an attack squadron of 5 Liu Bei-class gunboats, but also happens to fit a reduced squadron of 4 Achilles-class.

The sole vessel of this class in service is the Moksha, the lone ship of the Auxiliary Carrier Fleet.

Nelson-class Carrier

Code: [Select]

Nelson class Carrier    12 000 tons     208 Crew     1500.4 BP      TCS 240  TH 600  EM 0
2500 km/s     Armour 4-46     Shields 0-0     Sensors 55/22/0/0     Damage Control Rating 6     PPV 0
Maint Life 1.97 Years     MSP 469    AFR 192%    IFR 2.7%    1YR 160    5YR 2401    Max Repair 150 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 18 months    Flight Crew Berths 225   
Hangar Deck Capacity 5000 tons     

Siemens AG 300 EP Nuclear Pulse Engine (2)    Power 300    Fuel Use 85.6%    Signature 300    Exp 12%
Fuel Capacity 500 000 Litres    Range 8.8 billion km   (40 days at full power)

Thales Orbital Active Search Sensor (1)     GPS 3200     Range 55.7m km    Resolution 40
Raymarine Electronics Thermal Sensor (1)     Sensitivity 55     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  55m km
Marconi Electronics EM Detection Sensor (1)     Sensitivity 22     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  22m km

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
The Nelson-class carriers are the keystone of Republic power projection, each carrying an attack wing of 5 Achilles-class gunboats. At 12000 tons of void displacement, they are the largest naval vessels in Sol, albeit not mounting any offensive armament. Instead, Republic fleet doctrine calls for the carriers to stay well clear of enemy fleets, powering down its engines and using its extensive passive sensor suites to guide its attack wing into a favorable attack or ambush position. The carriers also have updated active sensors, although these are only reserved for emergencies as their use would give away the carrier’s position.

Two carriers are in service with the Republic Void Navy, Horatio Nelson and Togo Heihachiro, forming the core of the First and Second Carrier Fleet respectively.

Marius-class Destroyer Escort

Code: [Select]

Marius class Destroyer Escort    4 500 tons     148 Crew     668.8 BP      TCS 90  TH 300  EM 0
3333 km/s     Armour 4-24     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 2     PPV 21
Maint Life 2.76 Years     MSP 232    AFR 64%    IFR 0.9%    1YR 44    5YR 660    Max Repair 150 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 18 months    Spare Berths 0   

Siemens AG 300 EP Nuclear Pulse Engine (1)    Power 300    Fuel Use 85.6%    Signature 300    Exp 12%
Fuel Capacity 250 000 Litres    Range 11.7 billion km   (40 days at full power)

Channar Kinetics 200mm Railgun (3x4)    Range 120 000km     TS: 3333 km/s     Power 12-4     RM 3    ROF 15        4 4 4 3 2 2 1 1 1 1
Channar ES 200mm Railgun Fire Control (1)    Max Range: 144 000 km   TS: 3750 km/s     93 86 79 72 65 58 51 44 37 31
Atomenergomash Modular Pebble Bed Reactor (12)     Total Power Output 12.96    Armour 0    Exp 16%

Thales Orbital Active Search Sensor (1)     GPS 3200     Range 55.7m km    Resolution 40

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
The Marius-class destroyer escorts are the newest vessels of the RVN, with the first launch in September 2097. They were created to provide a second layer of defense for the Nelson-class carriers after they had launched their attack squadrons, when defense analysts pointed out that an empty carrier would be vulnerable in turn to ambush without using its active sensors. The Marius-class is unusual in not using meson cannons, instead mounting three powerful 200mm railguns with a range of 120 thousand km. Opinions are mixed over the effectiveness of such armament, while the railguns do far more damage than mesons especially at close range, the mesons immediately strike at internal components while railguns have to penetrate potentially large amounts of armor first.

Four DEs are currently in service: the Simon Marius and William Herschel with the First Carrier Fleet, and Giovanno Cassini and Christiaan Huygens with the Second Carrier Fleet.

Gallipoli-class Troop Transport

Code: [Select]

Gallipoli class Troop Transport    14 050 tons     125 Crew     472.2 BP      TCS 281  TH 600  EM 0
2135 km/s     Armour 3-51     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 1     PPV 0
MSP 21    Max Repair 50 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months    Spare Berths 3   
Troop Capacity: 2 Battalions    Cargo Handling Multiplier 10   

Daimler AG 200 EP Commercial Nuclear Pulse Engine (3)    Power 200    Fuel Use 6.19%    Signature 200    Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 50 000 Litres    Range 10.3 billion km   (56 days at full power)

This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
The Gallipoli-class Troop Transport has a carrying capacity of 2 battalions of TNE troops at a speed of 2135km/s, and also mounts a reasonable amount of armor should she ever have the misfortune of entering a combat situation. Only one ship of this class is in service, used mainly for ferrying around ground units between the Galilean moons.

Others

The Republic is also in possession of the just launched RVS Andes, a geological survey vessel; a Barnard-class colony ship and a fleet of five Amirani-class freighters. Detailed specs of these ships and all of the above can be found in the second post.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on March 02, 2017, 07:47:38 am

Huh, interesting. I'm guessing in SM mode, you researched up to 20cm railguns, then deleted the intervening techs? Or are you only listing the most advanced techs of each type?

*edit* How much input would you like from the outside? I'm happy to act as a corporate/shipyard character and submit ship, FAC and fighter designs for consideration for example.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Sheb on March 02, 2017, 08:06:00 am

Kill the Federates!

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 02, 2017, 09:13:16 am

Worlds of the Outer Systems Republic

(http://i.imgur.com/C02x5fO.png)

Ganymede

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/CckGVEB.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/WTESGuR.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/ZhZ0B2V.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/KpXM9N2.png)

Population: 380 million, Planetary Capital: Epigeus, Republic Capital: Ny Enhet
Ganymede is the largest and most populous world of the Republic, home to its entire heavy industrial base and the location of its shipyards. It is also host to the training facility of the Republic Army, and the State University of Ganymede produces officer graduates to fill its ranks every year. While endowed with a reasonable amount of local minerals, a substantial portion of its mineral intake comes from Io and Titan.

Europa

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/uh2L1V0.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/lobGgNU.png)

Population: 65 million, Planetary Capital: New Rome
Europa is the second most populous world of the Republic, and is its financial and scientific nexus, hosting twenty state-of-the-art research facilities. Europa’s average temperature is maintained just below freezing point, and its cities are located mostly on the northern and southern coasts of its single ice-ridden equatorial ocean, more than a hundred kilometers deep.

Io

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/I2DrRGR.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/qWyIoco.png)

Population: 25 million, Planetary Capital: Euboea Apex
Io is the innermost of the Galilean moons, and the mining breadbasket of the Republic. Extraction efforts are concentrated around the crowns of its numerous volcanoes, under the brilliant aurorae created by magnetosphere generators spaced around the moon’s Jovian meridian.

Callisto

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/UqnosVn.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/0CYy4hp.png)

Population: 20 million, Planetary Capital: Arcadia
The outermost of the four moons, Callisto is the least densely populated despite being nearly the size of Ganymede, with only four major civilian settlements next to the largest three crater lakes. Callisto is of paramount importance to the Republic Void Navy due to three factors: its fleet base located at the trailing pole (where all major warships are anchored for maintenance), the Callisto Deep Space Monitor Array (where the Navy keeps watch over the entire Jovian system) and the Callisto Naval Academy (providing the Republic with officer graduates).

Titan

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/jsSrYSh.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/jnQ7oXy.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/zzy8SZx.png)

Population: 10 million, Planetary Capital: Shangdu
The outermost inhabited body of Sol, Titan is the largest moon of the Saturnian system and the smallest population of the Republic. It is home to a small mining industry that sends minerals to Ganymede, but the majority of the workforce is employed in the ten massive terraforming installations pumping safe greenhouse gases into its atmosphere to raise its sub-zero temperatures, although the final temperature of Titan will never be enough for humans to live unaided. The Titan Listening Array also provides the Republic with sensor coverage over the Saturnian system.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 02, 2017, 09:20:16 am

Quote from: Hanzoku on March 02, 2017, 07:47:38 am

Huh, interesting. I'm guessing in SM mode, you researched up to 20cm railguns, then deleted the intervening techs? Or are you only listing the most advanced techs of each type?

*edit* How much input would you like from the outside? I'm happy to act as a corporate/shipyard character and submit ship, FAC and fighter designs for consideration for example.

I'm only listing the most advanced techs of each line to conserve space. The Republic has all techs below that. Also, I'm looking for ALL the input from readers. This is a LP where I take orders from the readers and play them out in the game, and ship designs are very much appreciated. You can play as a corporate character if you like, but the most Aurora supports for that is me renaming a shipyard(s) after you.

Otherwise, character signups are now OPEN. For these pre-game signups, things will be a bit different. Naval officers can request to be in command of a specific ship listed in the second post (and I'll rename it if it's a gunboat as those don't have names), likewise for ground officers and units. Civilian Administrators can choose from one of the five colonies available above, while scientists can choose from the list of scientists in the Europa spoiler.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on March 02, 2017, 10:08:46 am

Press Release
Ganymede Aerospace announces plans for combat small craft based in part on their successful and common civilian shuttle designs. massing under 500 tons, the small craft will be buildable at ground-based factories, freeing up orbital shipyards for larger designs. Critics of the plan point to the research costs associated with the project, though the CEO of Ganymede Aerospace insists that the costs will be negligible compared to the full-sized components required for a larger warship.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Sheb on March 02, 2017, 12:26:48 pm

I'd like to take command of the highest-ranking officer and be appoint Chief of Staff of the Navy.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on March 02, 2017, 01:51:22 pm

Press Release
Partnering with Chapman Thrust, Fuller-Hunter Design Systems and Sullivan Heavy Industries, Ganymede Aerospace is proud to announce its first combat small craft designs. Weighing less then 500 tons, these designs will allow the Fleet the capability of deploying twice as many fighters in the same space the larger FAC that currently form the striking arm of the fleet.

Code: (R-1 'Falcon' - 980 RP) [Select]

R-1 'Falcon' class Fighter    493 tons     5 Crew     64.1 BP      TCS 9.85  TH 48  EM 0
4873 km/s     Armour 1-5     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 3
Maint Life 7 Years     MSP 20    AFR 7%    IFR 0.1%    1YR 1    5YR 11    Max Repair 24 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 0.1 months    Spare Berths 5   

Chapman Thrust 200 Ton NPE-48 High Performance Fighter Engine (1)    Power 48    Fuel Use 185.18%    Signature 48    Exp 15%
Fuel Capacity 5 000 Litres    Range 1.0 billion km   (56 hours at full power)

Sullivan Heavy Industries 10cm 3rd Generation Meson Cannon (1)    Range 45 000km     TS: 4873 km/s     Power 3-3     RM 4.5    ROF 5        1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fuller-Hunter OSR/APG-04 Mark LX-48K Targetting System (1)    Max Range: 96 000 km   TS: 6000 km/s     90 79 69 58 48 38 27 17 6 0
Chapman Thrust 45 Ton PBR-3.1 Power System (1)     Total Power Output 3.1    Armour 0    Exp 12%

Fuller-Hunter OSR/APS-01 Active Search Lidar (1)     GPS 15     Range 520k km    Resolution 9
Fuller-Hunter OSR/AQR-03 Thermal Bloom Sensor (1)     Sensitivity 1     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  1m km
Fuller-Hunter OSR/ADR-02 Electromagnetic Sensor (1)     Sensitivity 1.1     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  1.1m km

This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and maintenance purposes


Code: (M-2 'Hawk' - 1430 RP) [Select]

M-2 'Hawk' class Fighter    493 tons     5 Crew     64.1 BP      TCS 9.85  TH 48  EM 0
4873 km/s     Armour 1-5     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 3
Maint Life 7 Years     MSP 20    AFR 7%    IFR 0.1%    1YR 1    5YR 11    Max Repair 24 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 0.1 months    Spare Berths 5   

Chapman Thrust 200 Ton NPE-48 High Performance Fighter Engine (1)    Power 48    Fuel Use 185.18%    Signature 48    Exp 15%
Fuel Capacity 5 000 Litres    Range 1.0 billion km   (56 hours at full power)

Sullivan Heavy Industries 10cm 3rd Generation Meson Cannon (1)    Range 45 000km     TS: 4873 km/s     Power 3-3     RM 4.5    ROF 5        1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fuller-Hunter OSR/APG-04 Mark LX-48K Targetting System (1)    Max Range: 96 000 km   TS: 6000 km/s     90 79 69 58 48 38 27 17 6 0
Chapman Thrust 45 Ton PBR-3.1 Power System (1)     Total Power Output 3.1    Armour 0    Exp 12%

Fuller-Hunter OSR/APS-01 Active Search Lidar (1)     GPS 15     Range 520k km    Resolution 9
Fuller-Hunter OSR/AQR-03 Thermal Bloom Sensor (1)     Sensitivity 1     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  1m km
Fuller-Hunter OSR/ADR-02 Electromagnetic Sensor (1)     Sensitivity 1.1     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  1.1m km

This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and maintenance purposes

((Feel free to submit design requests, make use of these, don't make use of them, rip them apart (in the media), all for the greater good!))

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Lorknis on March 02, 2017, 02:21:21 pm

I'd like to request command of Kane Gardiner, governor of Ganymede.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on March 03, 2017, 03:07:30 am

Code: (R-3 'Owl') [Select]

R-3 'Owl' class Recon Fighter    418 tons     12 Crew     78.3 BP      TCS 8.35  TH 48  EM 0
5748 km/s     Armour 1-4     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 0
Maint Life 8.18 Years     MSP 29    AFR 5%    IFR 0.1%    1YR 1    5YR 12    Max Repair 32 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 1 months    Spare Berths 3   

Chapman Thrust 200 Ton NPE-48 High Performance Fighter Engine (1)    Power 48    Fuel Use 185.18%    Signature 48    Exp 15%
Fuel Capacity 50 000 Litres    Range 11.6 billion km   (23 days at full power)

Fuller-Hunter OSR/APY-07 Mark XXXII Wide Area Active Search Lidar (1)     GPS 2880     Range 33.4m km    Resolution 90
Fuller-Hunter OSR/AQR-03 Thermal Bloom Sensor (1)     Sensitivity 1     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  1m km
Fuller-Hunter OSR/ADR-02 Electromagnetic Sensor (1)     Sensitivity 1.1     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  1.1m km

This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and maintenance purposes

By stripping out the bulky weapon systems and power plant from the R-1 and M-2 family, Ganymede Aerospace has designed a smaller and faster recon fighter to act as an early warning craft and perform scouting missions. The larger lidar system on the Owl allows it to detect ships the size of the Marius class and larger at a range of over 30 million kilometers, and it possesses superior speed, deployment time and range compared to its larger sister craft.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Sheb on March 03, 2017, 03:22:27 am

What's the difference between the R-1 and M-2?

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on March 03, 2017, 03:41:48 am

The R-1 Falcon is equipped with a railgun, while the M-2 Hawk is equipped with a Meson Cannon. Both have similiar power needs, so the fighters are otherwise identical.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Sheb on March 03, 2017, 04:37:01 am

Quote from: Hanzoku on March 03, 2017, 03:41:48 am

The R-1 Falcon is equipped with a railgun, while the M-2 Hawk is equipped with a Meson Cannon. Both have similiar power needs, so the fighters are otherwise identical.

No, they seem to both have meson cannon,.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 03, 2017, 04:40:30 am

Alright, some updates.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/h2NPaMN.png)

The outer planets

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/sCZ3aFQ.png)

Jupiter and Saturn in relation to the inner system

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/dKM4Kah.png)

The inner planets

The three carrier fleets are at Callisto while the rest of the civilian ships are at Ganymede. The population 'at Earth' is actually Luna. Blue rings around the gas giants are your passive (DSTS) sensor ranges for sig strength 200.

Sheb:
(http://i.imgur.com/aiHOuS3.png)
Lorknis:
(http://i.imgur.com/bRvKsdF.png)

Also Hanzoku, the weapons on your Falcon and Hawk are identically named, so that's the confusion. Also, I've posted a list of the components already designed in the third post, so if you're willing to use some of those we can cut down the RP cost slightly. You might also need to post your component designs, since I'm pretty terrible at replicating things.

Anyway, Strategic Orders can now be submitted. Refer to my previous post for the stuff available and make sure the queues extend more than a year. Things to include:
Production:
Fighter Production:
Shipyard Tasks:(expand, retool, etc.)
Shipbuilding:(how many, or continuously build? Suggest names as well)
Research:(which scientist to which project with how many labs, and queues if applicable)
Ground Unit Training:(currently 2 GFTF available)

Fleet orders are also open as well. The OOB in the second post is just a suggestion by me, you all can redeploy any number of ships anywhere. Currently, I need orders on where to send the Andes to survey: the outer planets, the asteroid belt, or the inner planets? You can use the ships to move around your installations, troops etc as well.

Misc info:
-The Republic starts with survey data of its worlds, the rest of the Jupiter moons and Jupiter itself. The other moons are all barren except for Jupiter itself, which has 286000 Sorium at 0.8 accessibility.
-All inhabited worlds except Mercury have 1 atm or more of atmosphere.
-Note that the Republic and Federation are not at war yet. It's a pre-cold war sort of scenario, where there's mutual distrust and suspicion but not to the level of shooting. Expect this to change as both powers expand, though.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on March 03, 2017, 05:05:09 am

Quote from: Sheb on March 03, 2017, 04:37:01 am

Quote from: Hanzoku on March 03, 2017, 03:41:48 am

The R-1 Falcon is equipped with a railgun, while the M-2 Hawk is equipped with a Meson Cannon. Both have similiar power needs, so the fighters are otherwise identical.

No, they seem to both have meson cannon,.

Ah, copying went wrong somewhere. Thanks for the catch!

Code: (R-1 Falcon) [Select]

R-1 'Falcon' class Fighter    490 tons     4 Crew     73.5 BP      TCS 9.79  TH 48  EM 0
4902 km/s     Armour 1-5     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 3
Maint Life 6.85 Years     MSP 23    AFR 7%    IFR 0.1%    1YR 1    5YR 13    Max Repair 24 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 0.1 months    Spare Berths 0   

Chapman Thrust 200 Ton NPE-48 High Performance Fighter Engine (1)    Power 48    Fuel Use 185.18%    Signature 48    Exp 15%
Fuel Capacity 5 000 Litres    Range 1.0 billion km   (56 hours at full power)

Price Systems 100mm 'Kineti-kill' Railgun (1x4)    Range 30 000km     TS: 4902 km/s     Power 3-3     RM 3    ROF 5        1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fuller-Hunter OSR/APG-04 Mark LX-48K Targetting System (1)    Max Range: 96 000 km   TS: 6000 km/s     90 79 69 58 48 38 27 17 6 0
Chapman Thrust 45 Ton PBR-3.1 Power System (1)     Total Power Output 3.1    Armour 0    Exp 12%

Fuller-Hunter OSR/APS-01 Active Search Lidar (1)     GPS 15     Range 520k km    Resolution 9
Fuller-Hunter OSR/AQR-03 Thermal Bloom Sensor (1)     Sensitivity 1     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  1m km
Fuller-Hunter OSR/ADR-02 Electromagnetic Sensor (1)     Sensitivity 1.1     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  1.1m km

This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and maintenance purposes


Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on March 06, 2017, 05:48:44 am

As requested, here's the components for the equipment used in the fighter designs:

Code: (Proposed Equipment) [Select]

ACTIVE SENSORS:---------------------------------------------------------

Fuller-Hunter OSR/APS-01 Active Search Lidar
 Size: 0.1 HS, Maximum Range vs 450 ton object (or larger): 520,000 km
 Development Cost for Project: 20 RP
 (16-11-0.1-9-0-S)

Fuller-Hunter OSR/APY-07 Mark XXXII Wide Area Active Search Lidar
 Size: 2 HS, Maximum Range vs 4,500 ton object (or larger): 33,390,000 km
 Development Cost for Project: 320 RP
 (16-11-2-90-0-S)

BEAM FIRE CONTROL:------------------------------------------------------

Fuller-Hunter OSR/APG-04 Mark LX-48K Targeting System
 Size: 0.5 HS, Maximum Range: 96,000 km, Tracking Speed: 6,000 km/s
 Development Cost for Project: 110 RP
 (24k-3k-2x-0.5x-0-s-f)

EM DETECTION SENSORS:---------------------------------------------------

Fuller-Hunter OSR/ADR-02 Electromagnetic Sensor
 Size: 0.1
 Development Cost for Project: 10RP
 (11-0.1-0)

ENGINES:----------------------------------------------------------------

Chapman Thrust 200 Ton NPE-48 High Performance Fighter Engine
 Size: 4 HS
 Development Cost for Project: 240RP
 (NPE-1.5-0.7-100-4)

MESON CANNON:-----------------------------------------------------------

Sullivan Heavy Industries 10cm 3rd Generation Meson Cannon
 Size: 3 HS
 Development Cost for Project: 900 RP
 (10-3-3)

POWER PLANTS:-----------------------------------------------------------

Chapman Thrust 45 Ton PBR-3.1 Power System
 Size: 0.9 HS
 Development Cost for Project: 90 RP
 (PBR-15-0.9)

RAILGUNS:--------------------------------------------------------------

Price Systems 100mm 'Kineti-kill' Railgun
 Size: 3 HS
 Development Cost for Project: 450RP
 (10-3-3)

THERMAL SENSORS:-------------------------------------------------------

Fuller-Hunter OSR/AQR-04 Thermal Bloom Sensor
 Size: 0.1 HS
 Development Cost for Project: 10 RP
 (11-0.1-0)
After reviewing their designs, Ganymede Aerospace has confirmed their commitment to their current partners, citing the specific challenges of designing equipment for small craft and the bulk of gunboat and spaceship equipment as insurmountable challenges.

((About the only thing that could be safely swapped out is the single power plant producing 3 power for 3 powerplants each producing one power. it'd save a few RP, but not very much. The smaller weapon systems above are critical to producing fighters within the weight limit that aren't slower then the already existing gunboat designs, and a fighter-specific beam fire control is necessary anyway.))

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 06, 2017, 09:35:17 am

Alright, I'll add those components into the game. Still need people to submit Strategic Orders for the first year, though.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Lorknis on March 06, 2017, 01:04:12 pm

Production: Build 100 more mines on Ganymede and another shipyard
Fighter Production: Build 20 R-1's
Shipyard Tasks: Expand every shipyard on Ganymede by 1000 tons and add another slipway
Shipbuilding: When able, we should build another Destroyer Escort.
Research:
Caridad should research jump point theory with 5 labs.
Chhaya should research 25cm railguns with 15 labs.
Ground Unit Training:

Let us send the Andes to the Inner Planets, so that we may check on Earth and perhaps return there one day when the clouds of dusts dissipate.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 07, 2017, 12:15:04 am

Quote from: Lorknis on March 06, 2017, 01:04:12 pm

Production: Build 100 more mines on Ganymede and another shipyard (naval or commercial?)
Fighter Production: Build 20 R-1's
Shipyard Tasks: Expand every shipyard on Ganymede by 1000 tons and add another slipway
Shipbuilding: When able, we should build another Destroyer Escort.
Research: Research all components used to build the R-1
-Caridad should research jump point theory with 5 labs.
-Chhaya should research 25cm railguns with 15 labs.
Ground Unit Training:

Let us send the Andes to the Inner Planets, so that we may check on Earth and perhaps return there one day when the clouds of dusts dissipate.

Anyone else wants to submit orders or clarify these?

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 08, 2017, 03:06:47 pm

Epigeus City, Ganymede - 1st January 2100

Ganymede Governor Lorknis announces a major military contract with Ganymede Aerospace in a joint television appearance with CEO Hanzoku, for twenty of the newly designed R-1 Falcon-class fighters. In conjunction with planned expansion of the mining and shipbuilding sectors, employment figures are expected to rise drastically for the coming year, also boosting his popularity ratings. However, critics point out that the fighters are as-yet untested, and unable to use existing maintenance facilities, necessitating the usage of carriers in order to maintain them.

Top officers from the Navy were unable to be reached for comment, although it is understood that Shapash Shipbuilding has laid down the spine for a new Marius-class destroyer escort, to be named RVS William Pickering.

Remington, Europa - 1st January 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/Cxpmc33.png)

Across Europa, research and development efforts by Ganymede Aerospace's partner companies monopolize the supercomputer clusters. Production cannot start until all components of the fighters have been tested.

Callisto Fleet Base, Callisto - 1st January 2100, 00:00 UTC

The geological survey vessel RVS Andes captained by Commander Isaac Mitchell is dispatched toward Earth. She will take two days and seventeen hours to reach Earth at her maximum speed.

RVS Andes, Outside Mars Orbit - 3rd January 2100, 06:00 UTC

(http://i.imgur.com/AtcjxRW.png)

107 million kilometers from Earth, the comms officer aboard the Andes turns to Commander Mitchell. "Sir, we're receiving a tightbeam ansible transmission from Luna."

A flick of his fingers brings the message front and centre on the bridge's viewscreen, and he presses 'play'.

"Attention Republic vessel, this is Luna Division Command. We note your current speed and heading has you coming directly at us. Do not cross Mars orbit, or there will be consequences. Repeat, do not cross Mars orbit, or there will be consequences."

Around him, the expectant faces of his bridge staff turn to see his response. He clears his throat, "Get me Callisto on the anse, and don't broadcast a reply yet!"

What should the Andes do?

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Lorknis on March 08, 2017, 04:21:13 pm

Reply that the ship is simply a historical research vessel here to explore the condition of Earth's biosphere and to take pictures of surviving famous historical buildings.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 09, 2017, 12:53:24 am

Abroad RVS Andes, Outside Mars Orbit - 3rd January 2100, 06:00 UTC

"Our ship is a historical research vessel, here to explore the condition of Earth's biosphere and to take pictures of surviving famous historical buildings." The message from Callisto is transmitted to the Andes and rebroadcast to the Federation on Luna. After a delay of nearly two minutes, the Federation replies.

"We do not believe your ship is a historical research vessel. Regardless, Earth is currently too cold and radioactive to support human life, and will be so for the next hundred and fifty years. There is also no mineral wealth remaining on Earth, and no reason for colonization. Turn your vessel around and do not cross Mars orbit, or there will be consequences."

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on March 09, 2017, 03:13:57 pm

I suggest backing off for now, this is neither the time or place to start a Cuban Missile Crisis in Space.

That said, at the political level, we need to open free movement of civilian vessels within Sol, before we end up with the asteroid belt as a closed border in both directions.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Lorknis on March 09, 2017, 03:20:04 pm

Quote from: Hanzoku on March 09, 2017, 03:13:57 pm

I suggest backing off for now, this is neither the time or place to start a Cuban Missile Crisis in Space.

That said, at the political level, we need to open free movement of civilian vessels within Sol, before we end up with the asteroid belt as a closed border in both directions.

I concur, free movement is the cornerstone of trust between nations. Perhaps in character, we can try to call for open borders as a sign of brotherhood between all of humanity or somesuch.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Karlito on March 09, 2017, 04:55:51 pm

I would like to be governor of Europa. I'll say right now my goal for this campaign is the peaceful political union of all humanity.

Andes should withdraw, and more to the point, should be re-tasked to surveying the Outer planets, starting with the Saturn system.

Diplomatically, we should try to establish more normalized relations. If there isn't a Federation embassy on Ganymede we can keep informed of our inner system ship movements, then we should see about getting them to set one up. I also concur with the above that we should try to establish freedom of movement for civilian vessels.

I'd also like to propose some additional strategic orders.
Production: Expand the Callisto naval academy to Level 4. Dedicate say, 10% of production capacity to produce them concurrently with the mines.
Shipbuilding: Two additional Andes-Class survey vessels, the Boösaule and the Himalaya

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 10, 2017, 04:50:13 am

Quote from: Karlito on March 09, 2017, 04:55:51 pm

I would like to be governor of Europa. I'll say right now my goal for this campaign is the peaceful political union of all humanity.

Andes should withdraw, and more to the point, should be re-tasked to surveying the Outer planets, starting with the Saturn system.

Diplomatically, we should try to establish more normalized relations. If there isn't a Federation embassy on Ganymede we can keep informed of our inner system ship movements, then we should see about getting them to set one up. I also concur with the above that we should try to establish freedom of movement for civilian vessels.

I'd also like to propose some additional strategic orders.
Production: Expand the Callisto naval academy to Level 4. Dedicate say, 10% of production capacity to produce them concurrently with the mines.
Shipbuilding: Two additional Andes-Class survey vessels, the Boösaule and the Himalaya

(http://i.imgur.com/zPjNQMK.png)

It will take six days for Andes to reach Saturn from its current position, would you all rather have it survey the (closer) asteroid belt first? Also I'm assuming you mean the academy on Ganymede, since that's where all the factories are. For reference, academy level is essentially empire-wide, so the Republic has level 2 (Ganymede 1 + Callisto 1) right now - would you like to expand it to level 5 (4+1) or level 4 (3+1)?

The Federation does not currently have any physical embassy on Republic worlds and vice versa. All diplomacy is conducted via the ansible. Would you like to send a message to the Federation asking for an embassy?

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Lorknis on March 10, 2017, 11:58:35 pm

Yes, we really should establish their embassy on Ganymede and our embassy on Mars. A sign of good faith and all since I too would rather not have Space Wars.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 11, 2017, 12:18:37 pm

Abroad RVS Andes, Outside Mars Orbit - 3rd January 2100, 06:04 UTC

Following a brief but spirited debate amongst civil and naval staff back on Callisto and Ganymede, cooler heads prevail and the Andes is ordered to withdraw. A terse message is transmitted to the Federation receiver on Luna to that effect.

(http://i.imgur.com/xu4fBOx.png)

The Andes is ordered to survey Ausonia, a main-belt asteroid that coincidentally lies almost on the direct line back to Jupiter. She will thereafter survey the main-belt asteroids clockwise until reaching 55 degrees galactic true, whereupon she will make for Saturn to survey its moon system.

As a result of this incident, Republic diplomats reach out to the Federation regarding the establishment of a manned embassy between the two powers. Initial Federation response is cautious.

Republic Void Navy Fleet Intelligence Office - Analysis

Given the Federation was able to detect the Andes (thermal signature 200) at a range of 108m km from Earth, we estimate the Federation's listening array on Luna to have a sensor strength of 540 - or 600, assuming some delay to confirm the Andes' course. This is equivalent to our own Deep Space Monitoring Array on Callisto. It is also guaranteed that the Federation now knows the top speed of our vessel to be 2702 kps.

No signs of Federation vessels were seen in this incident, so we are as yet unable to deduce any useful intelligence in that area.

New Rome, Europa - 3rd January 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/mg8Esid.png)

In a routine address to the residents of Europa, Europa Governor Karlito unveils a planned expansion of the State University in an effort to produce more scientific talent for the Republic, which gathers widespread support within the intellectual communities on Europa. He also announces the laying down of a new Andes-class geosurvey vessel, the Boösaule, with a second, the Himalaya, to follow.

Abroad RVS Andes, Asteroid Belt - 4th January 2100, 09:00 UTC

The Andes reports minor subsurface deposits of TNEs on the asteroid Chloris, totaling approximately 17.7k tons.

Code: (Chloris) [Select]

Neutronium 5 776 (1) Boronide 8 836 (1) Sorium 3 136 (1)
Later in the day, substantial TNE deposits are found on the asteroid Philomela, notably including 26k tons of Vendarite alone.

Code: (Philomela) [Select]

Duranium 16 543 (0.9)  Vendarite 26 000 (1)  Uridium 13 911 (0.9)
Abroad RVS Andes, Asteroid Belt - 5th January 2100, 08:00 UTC

Further TNE deposits are found on the asteroid Concordia.

Code: (Concordia) [Select]

Boronide 23 154 (1)  Sorium 11 400 (1)
The Republic also discovers the first TNE deposits on a comet on Comet Wolf, which is currently outbound and will reach aphelion just outside the orbit of Jupiter.

Code: (Comet Wolf) [Select]

Mercassium 13 985 (0.5)  Uridium 20 454 (0.7)
(http://i.imgur.com/0z95P2f.png)
Asteroid survey map as of 8th January. White circles are surveyed bodies, green circles are minerals discovered. The blue arc in the upper left is the passive sensor ranges of Callisto - 120m km - for scale.

Ny Enhet, Ganymede - 8th January 2100

After being thoroughly scanned by a squadron of gunboats, a Federation courier shuttle drops off twenty three people to man the newly established Federation embassy on Ganymede, located in a disused office spire in the Republic capital. Chief amongst them is a woman who identifies herself as Ambassador Alexandra Patel, the Federation's senior diplomat.

The Republic's own embassy team also lands on Mars, in the Federation capital of Auburnia on the Hellas Sea coast. They establish secure ansible communications back to the Republic capital, and report that the attitude of the Federation government toward diplomacy is still lukewarm at best.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Karlito on March 11, 2017, 03:22:32 pm

Let's get the empire wide academy level up to 5. That should give us plenty of scientists and officers.

We should call for a diplomatic summit in a couple months to discuss issues related to freedom of travel for civilians throughout the system and the establishment of military no-fly zones

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 12, 2017, 10:59:57 am

Ny Enhet, Ganymede - 8th January 2100

At the Federation embassy, Europa Governor Karlito broaches the idea of a diplomatic summit in person between the two powers to negotiate freedoms of travel in space. Ambassador Patel replies that while the Federation is tentatively interested in such a meeting, senior Federation leaders are not willing to travel to Republic worlds without the escort of Federation military ships to guarantee their safety, and the Republic Navy is adamantly opposed to any such transits. She intuits that if suitable neutral ground can be agreed upon along with military escort, then such a summit would be possible.

Abroad RVS Andes, Asteroid Belt - 8th January 2100, 04:00 UTC

TNE deposits are discovered on the asteroid 52 Europa. While the quantities are not especially significant individually, the four mineral types mean that mines would be more efficient per unit time than on other asteroids. Minor deposits are also found on the asteroid Prokne.

Code: (52 Europa) [Select]

Duranium 11 811 (1)  Tritanium 12 129 (0.9)  Vendarite 7 574 (0.9)  Corundium 9 846 (1)

Code: (Prokne) [Select]

Mercassium 6 724 (1)  Sorium 6 084 (1)
Abroad RVS Andes, Mars L4 - 16th January 2100, 09:00 UTC

The Andes surveys the Mars trojan 1999 UJ7, on the orbit of Mars. Although no minerals are found, she is not detected by the Federation either.

New Rome, Europa - 20th January 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/jXzro7X.png)

Scientist Lauren Sharp completes prototyping on the last of Fuller-Hunter Design Systems' electronics needed for the R-1 Falcon. Research efforts turn toward testing of the fighter-mounted railgun, although the bottleneck will be the design of the high-performance fighter engine and reactor. This will be alleviated slightly as Scientist Caridad Mondragón Bétancourt has gained insight into engine design philosophies, increasing his research bonus to 25%.

Callisto Deep Space Monitor Array, Callisto - 20th January 2100, 09:15

(http://i.imgur.com/hkgLaaj.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/jWIgQS3.png)

Five large thermal drive signatures are picked up on the monitor array at Callisto - ships departing Mars. After an hour, they are determined to be on a course heading for either Mercury or Luna at 1702 kps. Given their large drive signatures and relatively slow speed, they are likely to be either freighters or colony ships.

Callisto Deep Space Monitor Array, Callisto - 23rd January 2100, 12:00

After spending approximately ten hours at Luna, the five ships do not head back to Mars, but proceed on a bearing of 104 degrees galactic true, which takes them into the asteroid belt. Contact is lost at 1900hrs on the 25th.

Abroad RVS Andes, Asteroid Belt - 26th January 2100, 06:00 UTC

(http://i.imgur.com/RbL9AI1.png)

The Andes completes its survey of the outlying asteroid Thule and departs to survey the Saturnian moon system. Further TNE deposits were found on the asteroid Johanna. So far, slightly less than a quarter of the main asteroid belt has been surveyed.

Code: (Johanna) [Select]

Duranium 17 200 (1)  Neutronium 12 458 (0.8)  Tritanium 19 732 (1)
Aubernia, Mars - 27th January 2100

The Federation informs the Republic embassy that it has claimed the main-belt asteroid Astraea as its territory, and forbids Republic vessels from entering within a 10 million kilometer cordon of the asteroid. Across the capital, Federation citizens celebrate the settling of the asteroid as a sign of progress, with official media showing an automated mining effort and promising to have civilian populations settled on the asteroid within a year.

(http://i.imgur.com/QdRoAci.png)
Location of Astraea within the belt, at lower middle with the current location of Mars in upper left. For scale, the closest asteroid Aurelia is 10.3mil km away.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 13, 2017, 10:13:18 am

Anyone wants to decide the response to the Federation claiming an asteroid? Options are:

-issue a diplomatic rebuke
-issue a STRONGLY WORDED diplomatic rebuke
-claim our own asteroid (or two, or three, or seven hundred fifty four)
-claim all the asteroids around Astraea such that the Federation can't get there (hilarious but probably not a good solution)
-send unarmed freighters to put automines there
-send freighters and colony ships to drop a few people there
-send a warship to poke around that asteroid
-send the entire fleet there (not recommended)
-send the entire fleet and troops to conquer the asteroid (highly not recommended)

Or anything else you can think of, really. If I don't get a consensus on what to do, the default will be to do nothing.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Karlito on March 13, 2017, 10:30:18 am

No reason to provoke a crisis over this. Plenty of asteroids in the sky after all. A claim in response would be on paper only as we don't have any automines or infrastructure to send over. For now I think we do nothing but produce some automines and mass drivers to claim an asteroid in the future.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 13, 2017, 11:09:07 am

Quote from: Karlito on March 13, 2017, 10:30:18 am

No reason to provoke a crisis over this. Plenty of asteroids in the sky after all. A claim in response would be on paper only as we don't have any automines or infrastructure to send over. For now I think we do nothing but produce some automines and mass drivers to claim an asteroid in the future.

You do have automines. 80 of them on Io, and mass drivers as well. Given mines are currently being produced on Ganymede, this offsets the loss in mineral productivity of shifting the automines off Io. Infrastructure can be gotten from Titan, which is still below its population limit, although that's further to ship and will probably have to compensated for in the future because Titan can't be perfectly habitable. In any case, infrastructure is dirt cheap to produce compared to all other installations.

EDIT: Looking back, I posted the Io mining screen twice instead of its colony summary in this post (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=163000.msg7378733#msg7378733). It's been fixed now.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Karlito on March 13, 2017, 11:41:27 am

Ah, I wasn't aware of the automines on Io. I see we're actually missing that screenshot.

In that case, I say we claim the asteroid 52 Europa and have cargo ships move to it 10 automines and a mass-driver if we have one to spare.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 14, 2017, 01:39:19 pm

Ny Enhet, Ganymede - 27th January 2100

The Republic does not offer either acknowledgement or rebuttal of the Federation's claim to Astraea. Behind the scenes, government officials hastily draw up plans to match them with a colony on the mineral-rich asteroid 52 Europa. Freighters are dispatched to transfer automated mines from Io to 52 Europa.

Abroad RVS Andes, Saturn - 29th January 2100, 22:10 UTC

The Andes arrives at the Saturn system and begins surveying the gas giant itself. Elsewhere on Callisto, the same convoy of five Federation freighters is detected heading for Luna again.

Ny Enhet, Ganymede - 30th January 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/bBN4A0P.png)

The Outer Systems Republic announces its claim to the asteroid 52 Europa and surrounding space out to a distance of 10 million km. A relatively unknown civilian administrator, Josh Hart, is chosen to be Governor of the asteroid, despite having little experience in the area of mining. Across the Jovian moons, Republic citizens celebrate what they see as the government's first concrete step to exploiting the resources of the asteroid belt and demonstrating the Republic's promise of a better future ahead.

At the Federation embassy, Ambassador Patel issues a statement that the Federation will respect the territorial boundaries set for as long as the Republic does likewise. Meanwhile, the Republic embassy in Aubernia reports that several within the Federation government, and a considerable portion of its citizenry, see the Republic as just imitating the Federation's endeavors.

(http://i.imgur.com/fgpZw8T.png)

On the 'actual Europa' (as residents now put it), scientist Pothuval completes his contract to design the Price Systems 100mm railgun used on the R-1 fighter, and is reassigned to a government-backed research to make larger 250mm railguns a reality. Even with three-quarters of the Republic's research capability backing him, he estimates just over a year for the project to be completed.

Callisto Deep Space Monitor Array, Callisto - 3rd February 2100, 23:00

The Federation convoy once again disappears out of range of the sensors on Callisto, on a course toward the now-known Federation colony of Astraea. Even with the presumed freighters outputting large thermal drive signatures, the Jovian system is too far to monitor Federation shipping in that area of the main belt, and due to system geometry, will remain so for several years until Jupiter completes approximately half of its orbit around Sol.

An enterprising group of naval officers suggest the stationing of a deep space tracking station on 52 Europa to monitor Federation movements in the inner system, but none are currently available without compromising the stations on Callisto and Titan

(http://i.imgur.com/4w6Bdol.png)
Blue arc is Callisto sensor range for signature strength 1600, Astraea is at bottom right (middle of the belt). Jupiter is currently orbiting anti-clockwise, or you can imagine it as the belt orbiting clockwise instead. Callisto sensor range covers about half the belt at this strength, so Astraea has just passed out of that half. Titan sensor range (not shown) covers only a tiny part of the belt, from asteroid Hermione to Elfriede at upper right.

Abroad RVS Andes, Saturn - 9th February 2100, 08:00 UTC

The Andes discovers the presence of Sorium within Saturn's atmosphere as well, albeit at half the accessibility as the clouds on Jupiter. However, the Republic does not possess the technology to harvest gaseous Sorium yet.

Code: (Saturn) [Select]

Sorium 301 350 (0.4)
52 Europa - 13th February 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/FkaSIdx.png)

The freighters unload a mass driver to 52 Europa, and the asteroid colony immediately starts to send back mineral packets to Ganymede, contributing to the Republic's economy.

Additionally, the Andes discovers a significant deposit of Vendarite on Saturn's moon Dione, exceeding one hundred thousand tons and at maximum accessibility. The rest of Saturn's moons are barren, with the exception of Titan.

Code: (Dione) [Select]

Vendarite 124 913 (1)  Corundium 13 879 (1)
Epigeus City, Ganymede - 20th February 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/tZ6oc1e.png)

On Europa, scientist Bétancourt completes his research on both the reactor and engine needed for the Falcon. Production of the fighters begins immediately at Ganymede Aerospace's factories, and CEO Hanzoku announces that the first fighter will be ready to fly in a month. Bétancourt turns his intellect to a top-secret project to explore possible ramifications of trans-newtonian theory that may prove the existance of 'jump points' between star systems, which could theoretically allow interstellar travel.

Code: [Select]

R-1 'Falcon' class Fighter    490 tons     4 Crew     73.5 BP      TCS 9.79  TH 48  EM 0
4902 km/s     Armour 1-5     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 3
Maint Life 6.87 Years     MSP 23    AFR 7%    IFR 0.1%    1YR 1    5YR 13    Max Repair 24 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 0.1 months    Spare Berths 0   

Chapman Thrust 200 Ton NPE-48 High Performance Fighter Engine (1)    Power 48    Fuel Use 185.18%    Signature 48    Exp 15%
Fuel Capacity 5 000 Litres    Range 1.0 billion km   (56 hours at full power)

Price Systems 100mm 'Kineti-kill' Railgun (1x4)    Range 30 000km     TS: 4902 km/s     Power 3-3     RM 3    ROF 5        1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fuller-Hunter OSR/APG-04 Mark LX-48K Targeting System (1)    Max Range: 96 000 km   TS: 6000 km/s     90 79 69 58 48 38 27 17 6 0
Chapman Thrust 45 Ton PBR-3.1 Power System (1)     Total Power Output 3.1    Armour 0    Exp 12%

Fuller-Hunter OSR/APS-01 Active Search Lidar (1)     GPS 15     Range 520k km    Resolution 9
Fuller-Hunter OSR/AQR-03 Thermal Bloom Sensor (1)     Sensitivity 1     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  1m km
Fuller-Hunter OSR/ADR-02 Electromagnetic Sensor (1)     Sensitivity 1.1     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  1.1m km

This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and maintenance purposes
Near the orbit of Saturn, the Andes discovers TNE deposits on the comet Tempel-Tuttle, outbound from the sun.

Code: (Tempel-Tuttle) [Select]

Duranium 28 612 (0.9)  Mercassium 6 711 (0.8)  Sorium 1 834 (0.5)
(http://i.imgur.com/CBfx5KQ.png)

Finally, on Auburnia, the Republic embassy reports that a Federation civilian conglomerate, Coates Container Group, has just launched a colony ship, which is the first civilian-owned interplanetary voidship in the Federation. The ship has activated its transponders, rendering it visible to sensors through the system.

Decided to end it here as there were a bunch of events. Any new orders for the Andes? Currently it's surveying random bodies around Jupiter-Saturn orbit, but I could send it back to continue surveying the asteroid belt.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Karlito on March 14, 2017, 03:09:45 pm

We need a place to store those new fighters coming off the line. This design is just 11 hangar bays, a bridge, and the requisite crew quarters and armor. It's the smallest hangar PDC that can be transported in 1 freighter.

Code: [Select]

Fighter Base class Fighter Base    12,150 tons     170 Crew     1207.2 BP      TCS 243  TH 0  EM 0
Armour 5-47     Sensors 1/0     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 0
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months    Flight Crew Berths 3   
Hangar Deck Capacity 11000 tons     

This design is classed as a Planetary Defence Centre and can be pre-fabricated in 5 sections
Production: Reallocate construction factories as need to make a Fighter Base ASAP, such that we'll have a place to store the falcons when they roll off the line.

The Andes can return to surveying the asteroid belt.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 15, 2017, 09:43:22 am

It's not exactly super-urgent to make one of those, since I could just undock one of the carrier fleet's attack wings to make room for the  fighters temporarily (which will take more than a year to finish, btw). But it will be useful to make some to station our fighters defensively (such as on our new asteroid, for example).

Speaking of which, any thoughts on how to develop 52 Europa? We could
-produce and place some DSTS there to monitor Fed ships in the inner system
-produce or relocate some infrastructure there to establish a manned colony. Could allow us to use mines instead of automines. If we sent some maintenance facilities as well, could maintain a squadron of gunboats there permanently.
-send more automines over
Or are those resources better used to develop our core worlds?

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Lorknis on March 15, 2017, 10:10:27 am

It'd probably be more efficient to just use auto mines on asteroids. If put manned missions on the asteroid, we'd basically never get that infrastructure back since terraforming an asteroid seems silly to me.   

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 17, 2017, 03:29:07 pm

Ny Enhet, Ganymede - 20th February 2100

Code: [Select]

Quiver class Fighter Base    12 150 tons     170 Crew     1207.2 BP      TCS 243  TH 0  EM 0
Armour 5-47     Sensors 1/0     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 0
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months    Flight Crew Berths 3   
Hangar Deck Capacity 11000 tons     


This design is classed as a Planetary Defence Centre and can be pre-fabricated in 5 sections (http://i.imgur.com/ciGlGhh.png)

Europa Governor Karlito announces the construction of a large subsurface military installation, the Quiver-class Fighter Base, in order to house the new Falcon-class void fighters and maintain them planetside without the need of a carrier. The first, RNB Tapperhet, will be located in Khensu Crater just 40 kilometers away, to protect the Republic capital. Work on the mining expansion is paused and a considerable amount of industry is diverted to excavate and construct the base, which will be complete in two months.

Out in deep space, the RVS Andes is directed to survey the 'Trojan camp' of the Jupiter trojans on its way to continue the survey of the main asteroid belt.

Aubernia, Mars - 23rd February 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/9m2bOBJ.png)

After an intense marketing campaign, the Coates Group civilian colony ship departs for Mercury, carrying a load of homesteaders eager to seek their fortunes on the furnace world. Much of Mercury's surface is as yet untouched by settlement, and the five Mercurian cantons account for only 2% of seats in the Federation Senate. The Republic Embassy also reports that so far, official government channels have neither encouraged nor discouraged the civilian colonial venture.

Abroad RVS Andes, Trojan Camp Asteroids - 25th February 2100, 12:15 UTC

The Andes discovers TNE deposits on Comet Schaumasse and the asteroid Troilus. It now sets course to continue the survey of the asteroid belt.

Code: (Schaumasse) [Select]

Mercassium 20 868 (0.8)

Code: (Troilus) [Select]

Corundium 2 511 (1)
Abroad RVS Andes, Asteroid Belt - 30th February 2100, 20:40 UTC

(http://i.imgur.com/gwyAZTN.png)

Major TNE deposits are found on the comets Wolf-Harrington and Machholz within the asteroid belt, most importantly a deposit of 124 thousands tons of Tritanium on Machholz.

Code: (Wolf-Harrington) [Select]

Duranium 19 226 (1)  Neutronium 62 830 (0.5)  Mercassium 9 134 (0.5)

Code: (Machholz) [Select]

Tritanium 124 654 (0.8)  Boronide 49 212 (0.5)  Vendarite 34 200 (0.8)
Within a day, TNEs are also detected on asteroids Psyche and Hekate.

Code: (Psyche) [Select]

Neutronium 9 000 (0.9)  Tritanium 15 845 (1)  Corundium 4 887 (0.9)  Gallicite 13 493 (1)

Code: (Hekate) [Select]

Corbomite 11 210 (1)  Uridium 16 978 (1)
Aubernia, Mars - 5th March 2100

The Federation announces its claim to the main-belt asteroid Aurelia, the closest asteroid to its unmanned colony on Astraea, also informing the Republic embassy of an overlapping 10 million km exclusion cordon. State media broadcasts holotours of an automine, although Republic intelligence analysts cannot definitively confirm that it is on Aurelia and not Astraea.

Abroad RVS Andes, Asteroid Belt - 8th March 2100, 15:50 UTC

TNE deposits are found on the asteroids Ariadne, Artemis and Melpomene.

Code: (Ariadne) [Select]

Neutronium 8 821 (0.9)  Tritanium 15 611 (1)  Corundium 12 457 (1)

Code: (Artemis) [Select]

Neutronium 2 809 (1)  Vendarite 900 (1)

Code: (Melpomene) [Select]

Boronide 36 (1)  Vendarite 1 296 (1)
Abroad RVS Andes, Asteroid Belt - 14th March 2100, 14:40 UTC

(http://i.imgur.com/iRSMxwW.png)

The Andes makes a close approach to the Federation colonies of Aurelia and Astraea when surveying the asteroid Klotho, 2.6 million km outside from the Aurelia exclusion cordon. There is no hail by Federation stations, nor any signs that the Federation is aware of its presence. The captain, Commander Mitchell, is nonetheless careful to skirt the cordon on his way to the next asteroid Liguria after detecting Duranium veins within the asteroid.

Code: (Klotho) [Select]

Duranium 20 000 (1) Uridium 49 (1)
Epigeus City, Ganymede - 15th March 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/VrrwPQT.png)

The very first Falcon flies out of the Ganymede Aerospace fabricators in a widely televised ceremony involving CEO Hanzoku. It will form the nucleus of a new unit of void fighters, for the moment designated Squadron #1. Until RNB Tapperhet is operational, fighters will be housed on the carrier RVS Moksha, now in orbit around Ganymede along with its gunboat wing.

Out in the belt, TNE deposits are found on the asteroids Euphrosyne and Chicago.

Code: (Euphrosyne) [Select]

Duranium 4 471 (1)  Tritanium 1 474 (1)  Mercassium 8 493 (1)  Vendarite 15 415 (0.9)

Code: (Chicago) [Select]

Duranium 19 700 (1)  Corbomite 5 171 (1)  Vendarite 3 482 (0.9)  Uridium 4 914 (1)
Aubernia, Mars - 28th March 2100

The Federation makes its third asteroid claim, this time to the Ariadne asteroid on the inner edge of the main belt, close to the current location of Mars. As usual, the Federation government shows off its automatic mining efforts and imposes a 10 million km exclusion cordon. In an classified message, the Republic embassy notes that no administrator has yet been announced for the colony, perhaps indicating a lack of qualified leaders for the position.

On Ganymede and Europa, there is small-scale discontent at the latest Federation claim. Some believe the Federation is too expansionist, while others call for the Republic to match them.

(http://i.imgur.com/g0Dpy2Y.png)
Location of Ariadne in the belt. Ariadne is known to have deposits of Neutronium, Tritanium and Corundium.

Any suggestions on fighter unit organisation and naming? And any suggestions on how to respond to the Federation, if needed?

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: TalonisWolf on March 18, 2017, 12:27:49 am

It appears that the Federation is claiming resources and territory quite aggressively- perhaps we should grab the more valuable deposits before the Feds do?

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Lorknis on March 18, 2017, 01:31:49 am

I concur, we should probably match them in the least when it comes to asteroid mines. I propose that we mine Wolf-Harrington, Machholz, Psyche, and Klotho.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 18, 2017, 02:46:33 am

Quote from: Lorknis on March 18, 2017, 01:31:49 am

I concur, we should probably match them in the least when it comes to asteroid mines. I propose that we mine Wolf-Harrington, Machholz, Psyche, and Klotho.

Any preference for the order in which we do this, or how many automines to place on each? We currently have five freighters with one cargo hold each, so if you split them up you can place one automine on all four simultaneously, five mines on one asteroid at a time, or any other permutation thereof.

Oh, and also the comet Wolf-Harrington is 'inbound' toward the sun, if you compare the last and third last pics of the update. The Federation may not be too happy once it crosses into the inner system proper with our mining colony on it.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Lorknis on March 18, 2017, 03:19:47 am

May as well put a mine on each one of them. Even if the Wolf asteroid passes by the Federation, it'll probably be fine.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Karlito on March 18, 2017, 11:29:57 am

I don't think we should be in a rush to set up mining in the asteroid belt. For one thing, we actually lose some mineral income from moving mines off Io. Plus if we claim a bunch of belt asteroids it's bound to lead to tensions with the Federation later. We have much better claim to the Trojans and Kuiper belt for future expansion. I wonder if we shouldn't just try to preemptively divvy up the system's mineral rights, Treaty of Tordesillas style.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 19, 2017, 10:57:32 am

Ny Enhet, Ganymede - 28th March 2100

Opinion is divided within the upper echelons of Republic government on how to respond to recent Federation claims in the asteroid belt. Ganymede Governor Lorknis presents his plans to establish automated mining colonies on the asteroids Psyche and Klotho, and the comets Wolf-Harrington and Machholz, in order to match Federation colonization efforts. However, Europa Governor Karlito argues against this plan, pointing out the loss in mineral output from relocating automines off Io, and possible diplomatic tensions with the Federation's existing colonies.

(http://i.imgur.com/Kyr704U.png)

After a close vote in the Republic Congress, a slight majority of representatives vote to enact Governor Lorknis' plan. Freighters are dispatched to drop off one automine each per asteroid and comet.

Abroad RVS Andes, Asteroid Belt - 4th April 2100, 22:30 UTC

TNE deposits are found on the asteroids Diana and Sappho, in the 'southern' portion of the belt.

Code: (Diana) [Select]

Tritanium 6 084 (1)

Code: (Sappho) [Select]

Corundium 23 800 (1)
Psyche Station - 6th April 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/texTRzY.png)

Freighter groups unload a single mine each on the asteroid Psyche and comets Wolf-Harrington and Machholz before returning to Ganymede. The fourth asteroid, Klotho, is an additional day's travel away owing to the need to skirt the inner system.

On Aubernia, Republic diplomats inform the Federation of the three mining colonies established, along with a 10 million km cordon of space around them. While the Federation acknowledges the claim to Psyche, Federation diplomats lodge a protest over the cordons around Wolf-Harrington and Machholz as these bodies move over a large distance in their orbits. In particular, the Federation government notes that Wolf-Harrington will pass within the inner system soon and thus within their sphere of influence. The embassy notes that within Federation media, officials publicly say that internal Federation void shipping will not be diverted around Machholz once the comet crosses Mars orbit.

Within the Republic, approval ratings for the government instantly surge once the colonization claims are announced. Civilian Administrators John Newman and Xue Qiong Na are confirmed as Governors of Psyche and Machholz respectively. Unfortunately, as the Republic lacks any more qualified civilian administrators, the post of governor of Wolf-Harrington and any future colonies will have to be left vacant for the interim.

Freighter FT Amirani 005, Asteroid Belt - 6th April 2100, 22:40 UTC

(http://i.imgur.com/ucO1lGe.png)

As the lone freighter Amirani 005 approaches within 33 million km of Aurelia, the ship registers a hail from a Federation ansible on Aurelia. A crisp female voice announces, "Attention Republic vessel, this is Administrator Brennan of Federal Aurelia. What is your destination?"

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on March 20, 2017, 02:41:07 am

((Probably shouldn't actually say this, but... "Hi, we're your new next door neighbors, and we're just moving in today! We'd send over a fruit basket and some wine, but we know that the Federation is a bit antsy about people stepping on their space-flowers."

That said, we really need to get that treaty on free civilian movement rolling, before the asteroid belt becomes impassible without violating one or more exclusion zones.))

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 20, 2017, 07:05:17 am

Office of the Republic Diplomatic Service: Obscure, Obfuscate, Overstate

Quote from: Azzuro on March 12, 2017, 10:59:57 am

Ny Enhet, Ganymede - 8th January 2100
At the Federation embassy, Europa Governor Karlito broaches the idea of a diplomatic summit in person between the two powers to negotiate freedoms of travel in space. Ambassador Patel replies that while the Federation is tentatively interested in such a meeting, senior Federation leaders are not willing to travel to Republic worlds without the escort of Federation military ships to guarantee their safety, and the Republic Navy is adamantly opposed to any such transits. She intuits that if suitable neutral ground can be agreed upon along with military escort, then such a summit would be possible.

Sir, this was the last communique regarding a possible diplomatic summit between us and the Federation, dated nearly four months ago. If you wish, we can try approaching the Federation embassy again, although present circumstances are not conducive to diplomatic outreach.

With regards to the freighter Amirani 005, we are not yet within the exclusion cordon of either Astraea or Aurelia, which are 10 million km in radius. Amirani 005 is currently 33 million km from Aurelia, and will pass to 12.6 million km away at closest approach, which is the distance of the asteroid Klotho from Aurelia.

If you have any immediate suggestions on what response (if any) to reply the Federation hail, please send them in.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Lorknis on March 20, 2017, 08:19:51 am

I suppose there is only one way to respond to their hails:

"This is Amirani 005, our destination is the Klotho stellar body."

We'll try to keep this brief and if they ask us why our ship is heading there, we shouldn't lie and be honest about just placing an auto mine there. While I wish no ill will to the Federation, we mustn't look weak in their eyes. But perhaps more importantly, we musn't look weak to our citizens.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 20, 2017, 12:00:52 pm

Freighter FT Amirani 005, Asteroid Belt - 6th April 2100, 22:40 UTC

"This is Amirani 005, our destination is the Klotho stellar body." The captain of Amirani 005, one unremarkable Lieutenant Commander Joe Hartley, delivers his line in an emotionless monotone, but his palms sweat as he rereads the message locked to his personal console. -reply briefly-do not lie about your mission-DO NOT LOOK WEAK! Internally, he wonders how he is to accomplish the latter.

(http://i.imgur.com/fFKZV1g.png)

Seconds drift past into minutes with the serene grace of a Jovian cyclone, as he awaits the inevitable question of their purposes.

Callisto Deep Space Monitor Array, Callisto - 6th April 2100, 23:31 UTC

(http://i.imgur.com/1l9AfXb.png)

The Callisto Monitor Array picks up the thermal drive signature of a Federation freighter breaking Lunar orbit at 2326hrs. Parse algorithms quickly flag this as important, and within five minutes Republic analysts confirm the freighter's general heading toward the Astraea region of the asteroid belt. Current tracking is insufficient to extrapolate its exact target, but at current speed, she will take just over three days to reach Astraea if that is her destination.

Freighter FT Amirani 005, Asteroid Belt - 6th April 2100, 23:31 UTC

The incoming message blossoms abruptly across the bridge's viewscreen, rousing the crew into alertness after the better part of an hour spent waiting.

"Amirani 005, you are to divert your course. The asteroid Klotho, and surrounding space out to ten million kilometers, is claimed as sovereign Federation territory, and you are not permitted to approach. Amirani 005, reply to confirm your change of course."

The message is rebroadcast to Ganymede to an emergency teleconference of available Congress representatives. After a stunned moment, the feeds dissolves into uproar and a babble of overlapping voices.

(http://i.imgur.com/YlxroeB.png)
Amirani 005 is now 21.4m km out from Klotho, and 28.4m km from Aurelia.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on March 20, 2017, 12:23:43 pm

The Federation is trying to make us back down and look weak over something so minor as asteroid claims.

I suggest putting down the mine - we made our claim known in advance and will be first to have feet on the ground. Be prepared to put a garrison battalion in place as well if the Federation wants to rattle sabers.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Lorknis on March 20, 2017, 12:30:29 pm

Quote from: Hanzoku on March 20, 2017, 12:23:43 pm

The Federation is trying to make us back down and look weak over something so minor as asteroid claims.

I suggest putting down the mine - we made our claim known in advance and will be first to have feet on the ground. Be prepared to put a garrison battalion in place as well if the Federation wants to rattle sabers.

I agree since the Federation wouldn't be so petty as to go to war over a simple mine, I hope.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Karlito on March 20, 2017, 06:43:05 pm

We might as well go through with dropping the mine. If the Federation is crazy enough to start shooting over this then it wouldn't have been worth negotiating with them in the first place. Otherwise, since we'll have to work out a more long-term agreement for Sol system mineral rights, I wouldn't mind giving up the colony and maybe some of the other belt ones for other assurances.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on March 21, 2017, 03:47:17 am

In light of the recent increase in tension with the Federation, Ganymede Aerospace presents a new Gunboat design for the government's consideration. The Persus-class is the first of the so-called 'Raider' designs, a lightly armed gunboat with high endurance meant for the sole purpose of raiding Federation shipping and forcing them to divert their navy to escort duties or risk the loss of unescorted civilian shipping. In contrast with the Achilles-class, the Persus is rated for deployments of up to 9 months and has double the range, giving it the necessary endurance to patrol the inner system, and the supplies to wait in hiding at low speeds until a target is sighted.

In consideration for the government's request with the design of the fighters, the Persus-class uses entirely off the shelf components and requires no further research to bring into production.

Code: (Persus-class Raider) [Select]

Persus class Raider    1 000 tons     33 Crew     171.4 BP      TCS 20  TH 96  EM 0
4800 km/s     Armour 3-8     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 3
Maint Life 5.1 Years     MSP 54    AFR 16%    IFR 0.2%    1YR 3    5YR 52    Max Repair 48 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 9 months    Spare Berths 0   

Siemens AG 96 EP Gunboat Nuclear Pulse Engine (1)    Power 96    Fuel Use 177.47%    Signature 96    Exp 15%
Fuel Capacity 40 000 Litres    Range 4.1 billion km   (9 days at full power)

Price Systems 100mm 'Kineti-kill' Railgun (1x4)    Range 30 000km     TS: 4800 km/s     Power 3-3     RM 3    ROF 5        1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BAE Avionics Mod 98 Gunboat Fire Control (1)    Max Range: 96 000 km   TS: 5250 km/s     90 79 69 58 48 38 27 17 6 0
Chapman Thrust 45 Ton PBR-3.1 Power System (1)     Total Power Output 3.1    Armour 0    Exp 12%

Thales Orbital Gunboat Target Acquistion Sensor (1)     GPS 64     Range 1.1m km    Resolution 40
Fuller-Hunter OSR/AQR-03 Thermal Bloom Sensor (1)     Sensitivity 1     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  1m km
Fuller-Hunter OSR/ADR-02 Electromagnetic Sensor (1)     Sensitivity 1.1     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  1.1m km

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes


Code: (Equipment List) [Select]

1x Price Systems 100mm 'Kineti-kill' Railgun
1x Chapman Thrust 45 ton PBR-3.1 Power System
1x BAE Avionics Mod 98 Gunboat Fire Control
1x Siemens AG 96 EP Gunboat Nuclear Pulse Engine
1x Thales Orbital Gunboat Target Acquisition Sensor
1x Fuller-Hunter OSR/AQR-03 Thermal Bloom Sensor
1x Fuller-Hunter OSR/ADR-02 Electromagnetic Sensor
4x Fuel Storage - Small
1x Engineering Spaces - Small


Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 21, 2017, 09:16:28 am

((Do you want to retool a shipyard to produce these raiders, and if so how many? Or do you want to wait until the current situation resolves?

Also, updates might be a little shorter or sparser for the next couple of months - I've just started a new internship rather than bumming around at home waiting for uni (paying me less than the army, but I digress). I'll try to keep to once every 2-3 days at least, though.))

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 21, 2017, 11:28:58 am

Freighter FT Amirani 005, Asteroid Belt - 6th April 2100, 23:41 UTC

The Amirani 005 continues at full speed toward Klotho. After ten minutes without a response, the Federation repeats its message, and every ten minutes thereafter.

Freighter FT Amirani 005, Asteroid Belt - 7th April 2100, 02:48 UTC

(http://i.imgur.com/rv3Li4i.png)

Just fourteen minutes and 1.4 million km from their destination, the sensor operator aboard Amirani 005 looks up with a pale face. "Sir, we have a new Federation ship contact, distance 141 kiloklicks bearing 179 degrees! Her observed speed is 1950 kps, thermal sig 175, no record of this signature type on file."

At almost the same moment, a Federation hail is received, this time from Astraea.

"Amirani 005, alter your course immediately. You are within Federation space." The message is terse, but the unspoken threat is evident.

What should Amirani 005 do or respond? Blue circle in the above image is her passive sensor range for signature strength 175 - only 175k km.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on March 21, 2017, 12:27:12 pm

((Tell the Federation that they are in violation of Republic space with a warship and are to stand down immediately. Disapatch a battlegroup to Klotho immediately. Contact the Federation government and ask them if they're criminally insane, to threaten a civilian ship on a legitimate mission in already claimed Republic territory.))

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Karlito on March 21, 2017, 12:29:40 pm

As a point of order, I don't believe we've actually made a public claim to Klotho as of yet.

Quote from: Azzuro on March 19, 2017, 10:57:32 am

Freighter groups unload a single mine each on the asteroid Psyche and comets Wolf-Harrington and Machholz before returning to Ganymede. The fourth asteroid, Klotho, is an additional day's travel away owing to the need to skirt the inner system.

On Aubernia, Republic diplomats inform the Federation of the three mining colonies established, along with a 10 million km cordon of space around them. While the Federation acknowledges the claim to Psyche, Federation diplomats lodge a protest over the cordons around Wolf-Harrington and Machholz as these bodies move over a large distance in their orbits. In particular, the Federation government notes that Wolf-Harrington will pass within the inner system soon and thus within their sphere of influence. The embassy notes that within Federation media, officials publicly say that internal Federation void shipping will not be diverted around Machholz once the comet crosses Mars orbit.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Lorknis on March 21, 2017, 12:40:14 pm

Hrm, you'd think that the diplomat would've mentioned that we were claiming Klotho as well. I suppose we should clear up the situation since were technically not in Federation space yet.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on March 21, 2017, 01:28:27 pm

((Also, the narrative we're spinning to the public is important. Besides that, backing down means the Federation will continue these sort of tactics. The ship in transit from Mars has to be a freighter bringing a mine posthaste. We might have to follow suit and post guard ships on mining claims... assuming the Federation doesn't drop a battalion on them.

I was sort of expecting a slow cold war that would slowly heat up as the two factions explore. Now I'm thinking we'll be at war before the first grav survey ship is launched.))

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Karlito on March 21, 2017, 01:43:47 pm

Well here's my plan for deescalating this situation:

• Order Amirani 005 to halt, but not reverse course
• Contact the Federation government and offer to withdraw Amirani 005 under the following conditions: they also agree to not to emplace mines on the asteroid, and both powers agree to a temporary freeze on further mining claims
• Make arrangements for a Diplomatic Summit, to take place either on Ceres or if that proves infeasible, via ansible telepresence to discuss the future of transit and mineral rights in the Sol system

Space is large and full of wealth, there's no need to start shooting over one little rock.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 22, 2017, 12:17:07 pm

Office of the Republic Diplomatic Service: Obscure, Obfuscate, Overstate

Governor Karlito is correct as we have not officially made a claim to the asteroid Klotho yet before the Federation made their claim two hours ago. This is in keeping with our established precedent of announcing claims only after we have physically placed installations on the body in question.

If we are to dispute the Federation claim, we have reasonable grounds to do so. As far as we have observed with Ariadne, Aurelia and Astraea, the Federation has also kept to the same precedent of announcing claims after their freighters have dropped off the automated mines. The fact that they announced their claim after we have declared our intention to move to Klotho strongly suggests that they do not have any infrastructure there yet, along with the unexplained movement of their freighter from Luna (ETA 3 days) which could be moving an installation to Klotho to back up their claim. If we can place our mine first, Klotho is de facto ours, and we can argue that our claim equals or even supercedes theirs by right of occupation, and the Federation will likely face internal backlash if they seize it by force.

Of course, this hinges on the assumption that they do not have installations on Klotho, which would make us the trespasser. Our sensor coverage in the Astraea-Klotho-Aurelia region (AKA for short) was insufficient to track the Federation freighters to destination, so it could be that one of their previous convoys was secretly bound for Klotho instead. In this case, the passive navigational sensors of Amirani 005 can only confirm the lack of Federation installations at point-blank range (currently she is 1.4 million km away). The unknown Federation ship lies in her path: we strongly believe it is a warship, but there exists a remote possibility it is a civilian ship operating at reduced thermal output.

Given all these factors: we see only two general courses of action:
-Amirani 005 proceeds to Klotho regardless of any warning to confirm or deny Federation settlement, and unloads her mine if there is none. Optionally, we could broadcast to the Federation warship that we are unarmed, or that we will withdraw once we have confirmed Federation settlement, or any other words that make the warship less inclined to open fire. If the warship does fire, Amirani 005 and her cargo are invaribly lost, as we cannot outrun the warship.
-Amirani 005 reverses course, proceeds out of the claimed space, and finds another asteroid to drop its mine on while we apologise for trespassing. It is likely this will have a drastic negative impact on our image within the Federation, possibly emboldening more hard-line leaders to amass power.

While Governor Karlito's plan sounds fine in theory, we caution that the Federation has several spanners to throw in the works. Firstly, ordering our freighter to halt implicitly acknowledges the Federation claim (and also legitimises the threat of force), and gives us little reason to refuse to reverse course. Secondly, the Federation government is almost certain to take up his conditions to withdraw: either they already have mines there, in which case the asteroid is de facto theirs and we look even more like the aggressor), or they do not, in which case they have successfully bullied us out of mining Klotho with near-zero actual expenditure on their part. Essentially we would be withdrawing either way, thus doing it without conditions salvages what little goodwill we have left with the Federation.

((This crisis is pretty important, so I'm going to need at least two people to agree on what to do. Majority opinion wins, as always.))

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Lorknis on March 22, 2017, 12:26:08 pm

Out of the two options, I say we take the first option. It's our mettle versus theirs, and we can't lose here.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on March 22, 2017, 02:39:53 pm

((I say drop the mine, and remind the captain of the Jaguar 001 that he'll head for a war crimes trial if he murders civilians in unclaimed space. If he actually does fire, then Jaguar 001 should be a priority target in all future conflicts.

Seriously, if we let them win here, we'll lose the asteroid belt quickly enough, and then they'll start on outer system bodies until we push back with warships, and that sparks the war.))

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Karlito on March 22, 2017, 06:15:59 pm

Ah well, at least escalating things makes the game more interesting. Forward we go!

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: TalonisWolf on March 23, 2017, 12:05:02 am

Slimy Federation scum, trying to retroactively claim territory since they know we're on our way to claim it. They have no legal grounds to stop our ship until we've proven they've actually set an operation on Klotho, which seems unlikely at this time. If they try to force us to not confirm their claim, we will call their bluff!

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: MarcAFK on March 23, 2017, 07:53:10 am

PTW

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 23, 2017, 12:52:11 pm

Freighter FT Amirani 005, Asteroid Belt - 7th April 2100, 02:49 UTC

A flash-vote in the Republic Congress shows unanimous support for ordering Amirani 005 to press on, despite the appearance of a possible Federation warship.

(http://i.imgur.com/u5linTE.png)

In less than a minute, the ship (designated Jaguar 001) closes to 12 thousand km, well within any weapons range. It is close enough that the crew can see it on their visual scopes, and Lieutenant Commander Hartley observes extended lateral spurs that could be beam weapons, although an exact analysis is impossible. He gestures to the comms operator to hail the Federation ship, and clears his throat before opening the channel.

"Federation vessel, I am Lieutenant Commander Hartley, captain of Amirani 005. We are an unarmed freighter carrying an automated mining installation bound for the asteroid Klotho. While we are aware the Federation has made a claim to Klotho, we will not acknowledge that claim unless we see evidence of settlement on the asteroid ourselves, and will proceed until we can confirm that. I remind you that my ship is entirely unarmed and I am the only naval officer abroad, and we are in unclaimed space. I do not know what your orders are, but you should consider what the consequences will be, not just in the next few minutes, but for all future void sailors between our nations."

He takes his finger off the transmit button, surreptitiously wiping his palms.

(http://i.imgur.com/U6RpdB4.png)

Ten seconds later, the Federation ship comes about, matching speed and leading Amirani 005 by 10 thousand kilometers. Another ten, and the Federation ship replies curtly.

"Amirani 005, this is cruiser FNS Hubris. If you wish to avoid said consequences of us following our orders, it is you who should turn aside and defuse this situation."

Hartley notes with a grim smile that the Federation captain did not name himself.

"FNS Hubris, we will not do so. You may fire upon us, but I assure you my government will hunt you down, and charge you with crimes against humanity if you do so. Will the Federation protect you for shooting an unarmed vessel, at the cost of starting a war that could end our species? We await your response in whatever manner you see fit."

Some of the bridge crew glance at the Lieutenant Commander with newfound respect, others with barely-disguised fear.

There is no response for six minutes, as the crew of Amirani 005 wait with bated breath. Then, out of the blue, FNS Hubris throttles up her engines, breaking away on a heading of 230 degrees toward Astraea.

(http://i.imgur.com/NIIfZbM.png)

The emergency teleconference feeds immediately break out into celebration, but Lieutenant Commander Hartley keeps a wary eye on its sensor blip until it goes out of range a minute later.

(http://i.imgur.com/1RYfvSw.png)

He does not fully relax until Amirani 005 is securely anchored to an outcropping on Klotho and the crew begin unloading its cargo. There is no sign of Federation settlement on the asteroid.

On Aubernia, the Republic embassy officially announces its claim to the asteroid Klotho. As expected, the Federation does not issue a statement of recognition, though they do not refute it either. The embassy is in disarray, the staff having made preparations to evacuate and destroy sensitive electronics, which is judged to be no longer necessary.

Back on the Jovian moons, rumours begin circulating on the net regarding a high-profile confrontation between the Republic and the Federation over the latest claim. Speculation runs rampant, with some even claiming that the Carrier Fleets were being readied for strikes into the inner system. Official news outlets have not yet reported on the story.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: TalonisWolf on March 23, 2017, 01:09:27 pm

  Release any unclassified information on the event so the public doesn't turn against us. Put it on public record that it is policy to confirm any unknown claims, and be sure to announce each claim we make after we have actually claimed it and have operations there.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Lorknis on March 23, 2017, 02:07:33 pm

As governor of Ganymede, I'd like to release a statement to the public in regards to the recent events.

"My fellow Republicans, I'm sure that almost all of you are aware of the events that transpired earlier on April 7th. Our freighter, the Amirani 005, was on a routine flight through unclaimed space when it was hailed by the person in charge of Aurelia. They falsely claimed that we had transgressed on their space and demanded we leave though we had not slighted them. Even when the Federation sent a ship to try and intimidate us from an unclaimed asteroid, Lieutenant Commander Hartley of the Amirani 005 bravely defied them and kept on his course. In the end, we have placed a mine on Klotho and now we can all breathe a sigh of relief as he returns home to his friends and family.

But remember this, citizens of the Federation and Republic: That no matter where our ships sail, the republic and by extension humanity, will never be daunted by those who would use fear to dissuade others from living freely. While we never put our Carrier Fleet on stand by, know this: That we will not back down and we will never surrender.

Thank you, citizens of the Republic. And as for Lieutenant Commander Hartley, I recommend he receive the Badge of Courage for his brave efforts."

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on March 23, 2017, 02:14:10 pm

((I second that. We also gained some useful information about the observed speed of one of their warship classes from this.))

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on March 23, 2017, 04:55:46 pm

Transcript from a closed meeting between CEO Hanzoku of Ganymede Aerospace and the Governor’s Council of the Republic

“Thank you ladies and gentlemen for your time. I know that in the aftermath of the confrontation with the Federation you are all quite busy, so I will keep this brief.

As some of you are aware, I will be stepping down as CEO of Ganymede Aerospace shortly – in fact, the press conference is scheduled right after we are done here. I will be taking a new position, with the newly formed Ganymede Military Shipworks, a state-controlled company that will own the designs and production rights of Ganymede Aerospace’s combat fighters, as well as the design for the raider that we submitted a short while ago.

As you can see in the cliff’s notes that your aides are handing out, you will see that the position of the CEO is unpaid… this is not a mistake. I’ve already made my millions, and I wish you to know that I, and any future CEO of this new company has taken that position out of love of their country, not with an eye on lining their own pockets.

Make no mistake, I am just as much a patriot as you are, and I love our Republic dearly. I wanted to get that out of the way before delivering my proposals here today, because the safety and security of our nation is foremost in my mind.

The confrontation with the FNS Hubris, an appropriately named ship given the actions of the Federation, could have potentially ended in a war if the captain of that ship had been reckless. This war is one that many in this room and in the public feel that we are unready for. I share this sentiment, as I fear that our current navy is not strong enough to both protect our moons and be able to strike back effectively at the Federation.

As there has not yet been a void war, all tactics are theoretical. None the less, the analysis from within Ganymede Aerospace is that our focus on fast attack craft and fighters means that ship casualties are inevitable in any engagement – but building smaller vessels also makes it far easier for us to put more guns in space then the Federation can, and limits the number of casualties when a vessel is destroyed. To be cold blooded, that is the tradeoff we have chosen to make in focusing on building smaller vessels as our main battle force.

My proposal for this council can be summed up in six points.
1.   A new class of fast attack craft should be designed to replace the Achilles. While a fine design, it is essentially a larger version of a fighter and requires hanger space for extended deployments away from bases. The proposed class should fill much the same role, but should have extended deployment time to allow for combat operations and patrol duties.
2.   The fast attack craft shipyard should be retooled to produce this new class, and the Achilles currently in service should be reassigned to home defense squadrons here and around Titan, where their limited endurance is not a factor.
3.   The fast attack craft shipyard should be expanded with new slipways until ten fast attack craft can be constructed at any given time.
4.   New carriers should also be laid down, so that squadrons of fighters can also be deployed to support the fast attack craft.
5.   Construction of fighters should continue to fill the carriers currently in service. The advantage of fighters is that they can be built groundside, adding to our ability to increase our fleet’s combat capabilities rapidly.
6.   Intelligence efforts should go towards finding out more about the Federation’s naval capabilities – the number of ships in service, their shipbuilding projects, and anything we can learn about the classes already in service.

Thank you for your time. I will be available to answer any questions, and hope to form a solid relationship between the Council and Ganymede Military Shipworks.”

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 24, 2017, 08:15:53 am

Additional Briefing by unnamed RVN aide-de-camp to the Governor's Council

CEO Hanzoku is partially correct. Our navy as it stands is insufficient to both defend the inhabited moons and strike effectively at the Federation simultaneously, but we have good reason to believe that the Federation navy is likewise insufficient as they are economically on par with us. At the moment, the 'winner' of a potential war will be the one who does not divides his forces between attack and defence: either gambling on all-out attack or solely defending. However, given the establishment of the asteroid colonies and the richness of the belt, the defender will necessarily have to abandon them or risk defeat in detail, thus defence is not a winning strategy in the long term. Contrariwise, all-out attack risks a Pyrrhic victory that brings humanity closer to the edge of extinction.

The good CEO has also explained our ship roles, so I shall not go over it again. The Navy generally approves of the raider gunboat design, and notes that if the asteroids are colonised via infrastructure, a squadron of raiders may be stationed at an asteroid colony for nearly five years, limited only by the need to return for overhaul. This will position them closer to the Federation shipping routes should they ever be needed. While the raiders are undergunned, this is irrelevant if they are not expected to engage enemy warships, when its extreme speed also allows it to retreat if necessary.

Perhaps it is his pride in Ganymede Aerospace speaking, but the rate of construction of fighters is not exactly rapid. At current rates, it will take more than a year to complete the 20 Falcons to fill out one carrier wing, so the Governors may wish to consider construction of additional fighter factories to speed up the process.

(http://i.imgur.com/R0PNFQE.png)

Shipyard-wise, Menhit Manufactory, our FAC shipyard is currently in the long process of adding extra capacity from a previous order, but it can be halted and retooled to the Persus-class in a week, owing to similarity in the designs. Congress will need to agree on how many to be built in total, considering that we can build five at a time. The older carrier Moksha can also be refitted to the Nelson-class carrier for less than the cost of a completely new one.

In response to Governor Lorknis' comments, we have established an office of Fleet Intelligence, to compile (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=163000.msg7375399#msg7375399) the known Federation ship classes sighted thus far. We caution reading too much into the speed of the cruiser Hubris: the Federation could be deliberately going slower than maximum speed (still sufficient to catch a slow freighter) or the ship could be outdated, like our own Liu Bei-class gunboats.

Finally, our compatriots in the Intelligence Service assure us that they are hard at work penetrating Federation internal security. They promise results by the end of the year, so let's leave them to it.

((If no one speaks against, I'll go with Hanzoku's new orders. Still need the number of gunboats to be produced.

Also, I can't think of a good way to explain the following in universe as it should already be common knowledge, so I'll put it here. The Governors are not elected directly by Republic citizens, but are instead high-level civil servants who are appointed by the Republic Congress and serve indefinitely until reassignment or resignation. They have wide leeway over all aspects of the economy from production to shipbuilding. The Republic Congress is a combined legislative-executive body which represents all posters, including those who don't have ingame characters, such as TalonisWolf, thus being the general will of the readers. If economic orders conflict, I'll take the Governor's side in case of a tie and the majority otherwise.))

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on March 24, 2017, 09:00:01 am

((I suggest that gunboat shipyards shouldn't expand their capacity, unless we want to move away from building 1000t designs. Especially once a lot of slipways are put down, it takes a long time to do so.))

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Karlito on March 24, 2017, 04:47:30 pm

((I generally agree with Hanzoku's plans for the future of the RVN, and how we should handle the gunboat shipyard.))

In the wake of the Kotho crisis, I'd like to repeat my call for high-level diplomatic talks with Federation officials on the topic of transit and mineral rights within the Sol System, though I'd like to ask the Congress's advice on setting our agenda. It's been established that we want non-military ships to travel freely throughout the system, but what of mineral rights. Personally I'd like to cede our future claims to the inner asteroid belt in exchange for exclusive rights to the outer system bodies (such as the Kuiper belt and the Jupiter Trojans), but it would be good to hear others' opinions on this.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: TalonisWolf on March 24, 2017, 10:34:46 pm

Well, claim them first and then make a deal. That way we look like the good guys and can bargain for better terms in any sort of 'Trade and Mineral Rights Treaty' we negotiate.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 25, 2017, 06:05:28 am

Ny Enhet, Ganymede - 7th April 2100

The Republic government holds a press release regarding the events around the asteroid Klotho six hours ago. Key points include that the Federation made a baseless claim to Klotho to prevent Republic settlement, that a Federation cruiser tried to threaten an unarmed Republic freighter, and that the Amirani 005 was eventually able to deposit its automine and claim the asteroid for the Outer Systems Republic. A statement by Ganymede Governor Lorknis reiterates these points and denounces the Federation's threat of force, stating that the Republic will not be dissuaded by fear tactics. He also recommends that the captain of Amirani 005, Lieutenant Commander Joe Hartley, be awarded the Badge of Courage for refusing to give in, a move that is quickly approved by the Republic Congress.

(http://i.imgur.com/hHL0ZP6.png)

Public opinion is overwhelmingly in support of the government, aided by a brief interview conducted via ansible with the Lieutenant Commander.

Separately, CEO Hanzoku announces he is stepping down as CEO of Ganymede Aerospace, instead moving to an unpaid position as CEO of the newly formed Ganymede Military Shipworks, a state-owned company that will take over management of the three military-rated orbital shipyards and ground-based fighter factories. They will also own the design and production rights to the void fighters, while Ganymede Aerospace will return to its civilian shuttlecraft business.

His first action is to unveil a new gunboat design, the Persus-class raider. Menhit Manufactory switches to retool for production of the Persus-class, which is expected to complete in a week. The RVN is expected to order an initial run of 10 of these raiders, expected to supplement the Achilles-class with their long-term deployment capability.

Code: [Select]

Persus class Raider    1 000 tons     33 Crew     171.4 BP      TCS 20  TH 96  EM 0
4800 km/s     Armour 3-8     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 3
Maint Life 5.1 Years     MSP 54    AFR 16%    IFR 0.2%    1YR 3    5YR 52    Max Repair 48 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 9 months    Spare Berths 0   

Siemens AG 96 EP Gunboat Nuclear Pulse Engine (1)    Power 96    Fuel Use 177.47%    Signature 96    Exp 15%
Fuel Capacity 40 000 Litres    Range 4.1 billion km   (9 days at full power)

Price Systems 100mm 'Kineti-kill' Railgun (1x4)    Range 30 000km     TS: 4800 km/s     Power 3-3     RM 3    ROF 5        1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BAE Avionics Mod 98 Gunboat Fire Control (1)    Max Range: 96 000 km   TS: 5250 km/s     90 79 69 58 48 38 27 17 6 0
Chapman Thrust 45 Ton PBR-3.1 Power System (1)     Total Power Output 3.1    Armour 0    Exp 12%

Thales Orbital  Gunboat Target Acquistion Sensor (1)     GPS 64     Range 1.1m km    Resolution 40
Fuller-Hunter OSR/AQR-03 Thermal Bloom Sensor (1)     Sensitivity 1     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  1m km
Fuller-Hunter OSR/ADR-02 Electromagnetic Sensor (1)     Sensitivity 1.1     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  1.1m km

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
Behind the scenes, Europa Governor Karlito instructs the Republic Diplomatic Service to look into arranging a diplomatic summit between Federation and Republic leaders, to prevent future such crises from occurring.

Aubernia, Mars - 7th April 2100

The Federation government also releases its take on the events around Klotho. State media highlights that the Federation in fact made its claim first, which was violated by a Republic freighter. Federation officials admit that at the time of claiming, the Federation did not have installations on the asteroid, but maintain that the claim was valid nonetheless. Notably, there is no mention of the fact that the ship sent to intercept the Amirani 005 was a warship.

Among Federation citizens, there is widespread debate over the matter. Some point out that claiming without occupation goes against previously set precedent and the Republic was within its rights to ignore the claim, but many believe that the Republic colonisation of Klotho was inherently an aggressive move, as Klotho lies very close to the already established Federation colonies of Astraea and Aurelia.

Abroad RVS Andes, Asteroid Belt - 11th April 2100, 15:20 UTC

A stunning variety of TNE deposits are found on the asteroid Hebe, with larger deposits on the comets Borrelly and Comas Sola, all in the southern belt.

Code: (Hebe) [Select]

Duranium 3 042 (1) Neutronium 81 (1) Corbomite 5 184 (1) Boronide 2 500 (1) Mercassium 1 681 (1) Uridium 4 (1)

Code: (Borrelly) [Select]

Sorium 21 245 (0.6) Uridium 55 590 (0.8)

Code: (Comas Sola) [Select]

Boronide 23 049 (0.9) Gallicite 19 242 (0.5)
Ny Enhet, Ganymede - 16th April 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/rJ7hXXQ.png)

Europa Governor Karlito cuts the ribbon at the opening of the Republic's first fighter base, RNB Tapperhet. Capable of supporting a wing of 22 fighters, the base will provide last-line defense for the Republic capital and hold new fighters coming off the production line. The two already-built Falcons are transferred from RVS Moksha to RNB Tapperhet.

Federal Astraea - 17th April 2100

In a widely-broadcast media event, the Federation government shows the first colonists stepping through the airlock and into a newly-built, partially-underground settlement on the asteroid Astraea. Officials are quick to note that these colonists, 100 thousand in total, are the first humans to permanently colonise another body in nearly thirty years, since the devastation of Earth. Public opinion, at previously lacklustre levels, once again jumps to a new high. The government also lays out plans to ship manned mines to Astraea, providing jobs for the workforce in place there and being cheaper than automated mines to boot.

Across the Republic, response to the Federation colonisation is muted. Many see it as more motivated by political posturing than the desire to spread humanity, but a small section of the population calls for the government to match this latest Federation achievement.

Ny Enhet, Ganymede - 17th April 2100

Over the last week, talks have been underway between Republic and Federation diplomats regarding a meeting of the two powers. Ambassador Patel submits an offer for a diplomatic summit regarding asteroid claims and mineral and transit rights, to be held in one month on 20th May. The summit would take place on the Federation automated mining colony of Ariadne, and both sides would be allowed to bring 3 warships, with total tonnage not exceeding 5000 tons and active sensors allowed only for an initial scan, to escort their leaders. As a sign of good faith, the Federation indicates it will cease claiming additional bodies until the summit as long the Republic does likewise. The proposal is submitted to the Republic Congress for approval.

(http://i.imgur.com/FqSIrbv.png)

Location of Ariadne within the belt, at bottom middle.

((Accept/reject the proposal, or further negotiate the meeting terms? Also, should we refit the RVS Moksha to the Nelson-class carrier? Expected conversion time is one year one month, saving one month and being cheaper than building a new Nelson, proposed by Hanzoku. Time can be further cut down if willing to dedicate some percentage of industry to prefabricate the engines.))

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on March 25, 2017, 06:37:07 am

((For only saving a month, we might just want to keep the Moksha as a training carrier and to ferry fighters and Spartans between Jupiter and Saturn.))

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Karlito on March 25, 2017, 03:59:43 pm

((Yeah, it's not worth the refit to only save a month of construction time. We should just build new Nelsons. Dedicating some percentage of ground-based industry to help with the naval build-up is definitely worth considering though))

Quote from: Azzuro on March 25, 2017, 06:05:28 am

Over the last week, talks have been underway between Republic and Federation diplomats regarding a meeting of the two powers. Ambassador Patel submits an offer for a diplomatic summit regarding asteroid claims and mineral and transit rights, to be held in one month on 20th May. The summit would take place on the Federation automated mining colony of Ariadne, and both sides would be allowed to bring 3 warships, with total tonnage not exceeding 5000 tons and active sensors allowed only for an initial scan, to escort their leaders. As a sign of good faith, the Federation indicates it will cease claiming additional bodies until the summit as long the Republic does likewise. The proposal is submitted to the Republic Congress for approval.

Mostly acceptable, but I'd rather not set the precedent that we go to the Federation for such meetings. My counter-offer is same-terms, except that the meeting shall take place on the dwarf planet Ceres, for its symbolic importance as the largest body in the asteroid belt. The Republic will supply the necessary infrastructure for life-support.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Sheb on March 26, 2017, 06:35:43 am

Quote from: Karlito on March 25, 2017, 03:59:43 pm

((Yeah, it's not worth the refit to only save a month of construction time. We should just build new Nelsons. Dedicating some percentage of ground-based industry to help with the naval build-up is definitely worth considering though))

Quote from: Azzuro on March 25, 2017, 06:05:28 am

Over the last week, talks have been underway between Republic and Federation diplomats regarding a meeting of the two powers. Ambassador Patel submits an offer for a diplomatic summit regarding asteroid claims and mineral and transit rights, to be held in one month on 20th May. The summit would take place on the Federation automated mining colony of Ariadne, and both sides would be allowed to bring 3 warships, with total tonnage not exceeding 5000 tons and active sensors allowed only for an initial scan, to escort their leaders. As a sign of good faith, the Federation indicates it will cease claiming additional bodies until the summit as long the Republic does likewise. The proposal is submitted to the Republic Congress for approval.

Mostly acceptable, but I'd rather not set the precedent that we go to the Federation for such meetings. My counter-offer is same-terms, except that the meeting shall take place on the dwarf planet Ceres, for its symbolic importance as the largest body in the asteroid belt. The Republic will supply the necessary infrastructure for life-support.

I support Karlito's proposal.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 26, 2017, 12:32:17 pm

Ny Enhet, Ganymede - 17th April 2100

Europa Governor Karlito, along with Chief of Staff of the RVN Commodore Sheb, submit a counter-offer for the diplomatic summit to be held on the currently-unclaimed dwarf planet Ceres, for its symbolic importance as the largest body in the main belt, with all other terms remaining the same. After an hour, the Federation accepts the offer. The Ceres Summit is officially set for 20th May.

Epigeus City, Ganymede - 20th April 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/osDW4fC.png)

Menhit Manufactory completes its retooling to build the Persus-class raider, and the first five of the class are immediately laid down. The first squadron of 5 raiders are expected to complete in early September. At the same time, shipyard staff also begin work on adding extra slipways to improve the rate of FAC production, according to a directive from CEO Hanzoku.

(http://i.imgur.com/vfNExEJ.png)

Ganymede Military Shipworks also subcontracts out the prefabrication of two massive Siemens AG Nuclear Pulse Engines, which will be complete in two weeks.

Abroad RVS Andes, Asteroid Belt - 21th April 2100, 12:05 UTC

RVS Andes reports major TNE elements with decent quantity and high accessibility found on the asteroid Pallas, marking it as a lucrative target for colonisation.

Code: (Pallas) [Select]

Neutronium 12 300 (0.9) Tritanium 4 233 (1) Sorium 16 100 (1) Corundium 9 891 (1) Gallicite 12 844 (0.9)
(http://i.imgur.com/gMztCub.png)
Area of the Southern Main Belt. Asteroidal TNE deposits circled in green, surveyed bodies in white. TNE deposits found on Pallas (near-centre), Hebe (northwest of Pallas, large variety), Sappho (northeast of Pallas, only Corundium) and Diana (far east, insignificant amounts). Ceres is far to the right, southeast of Diana. For reference, the Jovian system is currently northwest of the entire belt.

A day later, further deposits are found on the asteroid Alkmene.

Code: (Alkmene) [Select]

Corbomite 10 392 (0.9) Mercassium 13 766 (0.9) Sorium 5 438 (0.9) Corundium 19 151 (1)
Federal Astraea - 25th April 2100

Federation news media covers the opening of two manned mines on Astraea, providing jobs for the colonists there. Reaction is mixed among Republic citizens, but the segment of the population calling for the Republic government to increase their own colonisation efforts grows daily.

Abroad RVS Andes, Leaving Asteroid Belt - 28th April 2100, 12:05 UTC

(http://i.imgur.com/FvvcugF.png)

RVS Andes takes a short detour from the main asteroid belt to survey the 'Greek camp', the Jupiter trojan asteroids ahead of Jupiter in its orbit.

Epigeus City, Ganymede - 1st May 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/4Gyamyt.png)

A conglomerate of the Republic's largest transport companies, Davis Shipping Lines, unveils the first two wholly civilian-owned voidships in the Republic. The two slow, giant freighters are expected to take up commercial shipping on the lucrative Jupiter-Saturn route, but executives indicate they are willing to take government contracts for a reasonable price. Nevertheless, officials note that the Republic government still has its five freighters unemployed, and there is little need for private contract at present.

(http://i.imgur.com/wUiu050.png)

In low Ganymede orbit, the engines are mated to the spine of a new Nelson-class carrier, the RVS François-Joseph de Grasse. The use of prefabricated engines is estimated to have shaved almost three months off the build time, from early July to early April of next year.

Abroad RVS Andes, Greek Camp Asteroids - 8th May 2100, 20:05 UTC

The Andes completes its survey of the Greek Jupiter Trojans and heads back into the main belt. Unfortunately, only an insignificant deposit of Duranium was found on the asteroid Eurybates within the Greek camp.

Code: (Eurybates) [Select]

Duranium 5 832 (1)
Callisto Fleet Base, Callisto - 11th May 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/ZVw6mIK.png)

As the freighter Amirani 001 departs for Ceres to set up infrastructure for the summit, Fleet Command debates on which ships to send to guard the Ceres Summit, codenamed Operation VELVET FIST. It is generally agreed that the warships should not go at full speed to keep their top speed a secret, but opinions are split on whether to send older Liu Bei-class gunboats for the Federation to underestimate, or a single Marius-class destroyer to intimidate them, considering that the Federation will gain some information from the initial active sensor scan.

((Which ships should we send to the Ceres Summit? Refer to the first page for all the ships in our OOB, and choose 3 ships with total tonnage <5000 tons.

Also welcome back Sheb! Good to see you around again, any suggestions for the game?))

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Sheb on March 26, 2017, 01:49:42 pm

The admiralty propose detaching the Marius-class William Herschel. No need to show our more recent assets. I also propose limiting its spreed to 2500 km/s for the duration of the trip.


((Still catching up, sorry for not follwoing more closely).

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Karlito on March 26, 2017, 07:48:56 pm

I'd vote to send a trio of Liu Beis instead.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Sheb on March 27, 2017, 01:31:26 am

Do they have enough range? If Jupiter and Ceres aren't on the same side of Sol they won't.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on March 27, 2017, 05:35:28 am

What we could do is send the 1st Carrier Group as escort for the summit, but stop it 300m km from Ceres. Three Spartan-class gunboats can then escort the ambassador to Ceres, operating their engines at the proposed 2,500 km/s to hide their true speed. Unless the summit is likely to take more then a month, the Spartans will be able to linger on station and return to the Horatio Nelson for the return trip, giving their crews a chance to stretch their legs.

Admiral Sheb is correct - none of our gunboats can manage the round trip on their own, from the information provided in the screen capture. If my proposal is unsatisfactory, I then support the use of one of the Marius-class as the escort.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 27, 2017, 07:56:38 am

Hanzoku, I'm going to assume you meant the Achilles-class gunboat, since there's no Spartan-class. Anyway, Ceres is 1.15 billion km away at the moment, so none of the gunboats can reach it and return, but that's exactly what the carriers were made for. Proposals so far are:

-send a Marius-class DE (Sheb)

-send a trio of Liu Bei-class gunboats (partway on a carrier) (Karlito)

-send a trio of Achilles-class gunboats (also partway on carrier) (Hanzoku)

If this three-way tie continues until tomorrow, then I'll just take Sheb's proposal, since this is a Fleet operation.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on March 27, 2017, 08:14:09 am

Hah, you're quite correct. For some reason, my brain keyed on the word 'spartan' in the description of the class and decided that was the class name.

Also, glad to see you're back Sheb. If you have requests for fleet resources or design requirements, feel free to throw them at me, since my 'role' as such is to serve as the design/construction side of the fleet.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Lorknis on March 27, 2017, 08:17:07 am

I'll trust Sheb's judgement when it comes to the fleet.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: TalonisWolf on March 27, 2017, 06:07:47 pm

Quote from: Lorknis on March 27, 2017, 08:17:07 am

I'll trust Sheb's judgement when it comes to the fleet.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Sheb on March 28, 2017, 02:42:34 am

Quote from: Hanzoku on March 27, 2017, 08:14:09 am

Hah, you're quite correct. For some reason, my brain keyed on the word 'spartan' in the description of the class and decided that was the class name.

Also, glad to see you're back Sheb. If you have requests for fleet resources or design requirements, feel free to throw them at me, since my 'role' as such is to serve as the design/construction side of the fleet.

Good, I'm still catching up and getting a feel for our possible adversaries, so I'm deferring to your judgement in such matters for now.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on March 28, 2017, 04:05:54 am

As you say, it's all theoretical right now. Until we manage to steal acquire more information on the federation ship classes and things like speed, tonnage, armor levels and armament, we can only guess at what will work best.

I'm sort of looking forward to when we encounter NPRs and their dirty, evil, missile using ways and suddenly have to scramble to provide point defense.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 28, 2017, 11:09:11 am

Callisto Fleet Base, Callisto - 11th May 2100

Commodore Sheb selects the destroyer escort RVS William Herschel to be the Republic's guard at the Ceres Summit. Commander Bailey Finch takes her into Ganymede orbit as preparation are made for her transit to Ceres.

Abroad RVS Andes, Asteroid Belt - 13th May 2100, 18:05 UTC

TNE deposits are found in the asteroids Hygiea and Kalypso, located in the western portion of the main asteroid belt. The Andes has surveyed seven-eighths of the main belt so far, and is estimated to complete its survey within a month.

Code: (Hygiea) [Select]

Duranium 11 889 (0.9) Gallicite 23 111 (1)

Code: (Kalypso) [Select]

Boronide 4 311 (1) Vendarite 5 627 (1) Uridium 17 191 (0.8)
Ny Enhet, Ganymede - 14th May 2100

The RVS William Herschel breaks from Ganymede orbit in a solemn ceremony, after the last shuttle of diplomatic functionaries boards. She carries several Republic Congressional Representatives abroad, along with the influential Governors' Council. At 2500 kps, the voyage to Ceres will take five days and ten hours.

Aubernia, Mars - 16th May 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/BdJMyqB.png)

In what is widely viewed as an answer to the recent launch of the Republic's first civilian-owned freighters, Coates Container Group announces the launch of its own large freighter, signalling an expansion in the Federation's civilian sector. The ship is designated Alligator 001 by monitoring staff on Callisto.

Abroad RVS Andes, Asteroid Belt - 18th May 2100, 09:05 UTC

Major TNE deposits are found on the comet Van Biesbroeck, currently inbound toward the sun.

Code: (Van Biesbroeck) [Select]

Corbomite 26 399 (1) Tritanium 17 189 (0.9) Uridium 39 439 (0.7)
The freighter Amirani 001 also reaches Ceres and begins offloading a small compound onto the surface to host the summit.

Ceres - 19th May 2100, 23:15 UTC

(http://i.imgur.com/GffU22D.png)

RVS William Herschel arrives just as Amirani 001 departs Ceres. There are no Federation ships in evidence yet.

Nearly three hours later, the signals officer looks up in surprise. "Sir, we're receiving a Federation hail. Origin is unknown, but it appears to be generally along bearing 347, in the direction of Mars."

Commander Finch raises an eyebrow. "The message?"

"Greetings Republic vessel, this is Captain Kamala Sensharma of the destroyer FNS Hatsuyuki, accompanied by the frigate FNS Domovoy 002. We will be switching on our active sensors for a thirty-second sensor sweep to confirm the area is clear, two minutes after you reply to this hail."

The sensor officer coughs. "Sir, I'm afraid we can't detect those two ships on passives. William Herschel is not equipped with any passive sensor suites besides our navigational aids."

"I ... see. Never mind, just focus on getting what you can from our active scan. Sig, open ansible channel, broadcast along the same bearing."

"Captain Sensharma, this is Commander Finch of the destroyer RVS William Herschel. We are the only Republic Navy ship in the area, apart from one of our freighters departing to Jupiter at 26 million klicks' distance. We will be scanning likewise in two minutes from now." Privately, he considers the implications of not having passive sensors, chiefly that he cannot verify the Federation ships' location without giving away his own. Of course, given that all ships will be in orbit over Ceres for the duration, this is something of a moot point unless the Federation chooses to betray their trust.

Ceres - 20th May 2100, 03:20 UTC

(http://i.imgur.com/f4uygRa.png)

"Contact! Two Fed ships at bearing 347 distance 3 megaklicks, 3250 and 1600 tons. Maximum speed is ... 3000 kps. Sir, Fleet Intelligence on the anse, they're provisionally designating these the Kingfisher and Rattlesnake-class for the destroyer and frigate respectively."

The rest of the bridge staff can't help looking over to the sensor officer's console as he furiously works, adjusting the ship's gravity-pulse radar in miniscule increments to gather as many different reflections as possible. Thirty seconds flash by, and Commander Finch reluctantly orders the active sensor switched off. The sight of the two Federation contacts fading from active red into an outdated grey at their last known location on the tactical display disquiets him.

(http://i.imgur.com/xkRUacI.png)

Within twelve minutes, both FNS Hatsuyuki  and FNS Domovoy 002 settle into a low orbit over Ceres and into the range of William Herschel's navigational sensors. Their thermal signatures are promptly forwarded to Callisto as Federation State Security teams shuttle down to the diplomatic compound.

After FSS agents are satisfied that the compound is clean of bugs or traps, Federation leaders begin to disembark as well. Within the relatively-luxurious main hall, maintained in 0.3g gravity at great expense, the upper echelons of Republic government line the long table on their half of the room, watching their Federation counterparts take their places at the opposing table. The Ceres Summit is officially underway.

((If anyone will like to start the ball rolling on the topics to be discussed - asteroid claims, mineral and transit rights - now's the time. Otherwise the Federation will present their own proposed agreements for discussion and negotiation.))

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on March 28, 2017, 11:50:28 am

((*begins planning a block 2 of the DE with passive sensors*))

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: TalonisWolf on March 28, 2017, 03:20:35 pm

Well, what resource claims are we most interested in? What are our priorities?

From what I've heard, we're more interested in all resources on our side of the asteroid belt. How much are we willing to give the Federation to make this happen?

 Do we give up the right to make any future claim on the asteroid belt, try to make the asteroid belt a neutral zone, or give up ALL claim on the the asteroid belt including our current ones?

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on March 29, 2017, 01:48:37 am

((Going to put out of character thoughts in brackets))

Let's first get together what our proposals are and what we can agree on. I'll try to seperate them by topic a bit. ((I hope that this is all taken as having been hashed out on the flight over, or aren't we going to look unprepared...))

Civilians

1. An agreement to allow civilian mining complexes on any non-colonized system body. ((The AI is going to stick them up wherever, I'd rather it didn't cause a war doing so.))
2. An agreement to allow free trade between Federation and Republic colonies - this will generate income for both parties, as well as help maintain relations.

Survey

3. Allow free geological surveys of all system bodies except those with populations present ((I think this will also allow us to confirm that the Federation is using automines on Earth to extract its TN minerals - basically, they don't need to dispute the asteroid claims.))

Military Forces

4. Establish the Asteroid Belt as a neutral zone - no military ships should operate within or beyond the asteroid belt without the agreement of both governments. ((Let's prevent a repeat of the last crisis.))

Diplomacy

5. Each government will establish a diplomatic team to supplement the embassy staff. ((Basically, make use of characters with Diplomacy traits))

Mining Rights

6. I'm for free development of mineral resources in the inner and outer belts. The inner belt is more accessible and has shorter delivery times then outer belt claims. We also have no idea if the outer belt is even resource rich, so giving the Federation full rights to the inner belt is gambling that we receive any sort of return in the outer belt. Furthermore, as soon as the Federation has fully developed the inner belt, they'll break the treaty and start developing the outer belt, particularly if it is more resource rich.

7. I am fully against giving up current claims in the inner asteroid belt, with the exception of Klotho. We may be prepared to sell them the Klotho claim for the value of 10,000 tons of Duranium and 24 tons of Uridium.

Internal Proposals (not for the Federation)

8. Establish DSTS on each claim in the asteroid belt to provide early warning and some idea of Federation movement.
9. Establish geosurvey team(s) to investigate the mineral deposits, first in the colonies and then in the asteroid claims. They may find deposits that the orbital sensors missed.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Sheb on March 29, 2017, 06:19:57 am

I generally approve of your proposal. The DSTS requirement might be onerous though, why not select 4-6 posts around the belt and build them as listening post with several DSTS each instead?

Also, regarding the DE's sensors, while it is a bit annoying that we did not have passive sensors here, current doctrine is that they should only serve as escort to carriers that do have full sensor suite, not operate on their own. The Navy as such doesn't feel the need for passives on its DEs.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on March 29, 2017, 06:34:18 am

Oh, as an additional point under the Mining Rights heading, assuming we don't sell the claim to the Federation, I think we should demand formal recognition of our ownership of Klotho.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 29, 2017, 06:48:42 am

For reference:
List of asteroidal TNE deposits known, in approximately clockwise order,

Main Belt

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Code: (Chloris) [Select]

Neutronium 5 776 (1) Boronide 8 836 (1) Sorium 3 136 (1)

Code: (Philomela) [Select]

Duranium 16 543 (0.9)  Vendarite 26 000 (1)  Uridium 13 911 (0.9)

Code: (Concordia) [Select]

Boronide 23 154 (1)  Sorium 11 400 (1)

Code: (52 Europa (REPUBLIC)) [Select]

Duranium 11 811 (1)  Tritanium 12 129 (0.9)  Vendarite 7 574 (0.9)  Corundium 9 846 (1)

Code: (Prokne) [Select]

Mercassium 6 724 (1)  Sorium 6 084 (1)

Code: (Johanna) [Select]

Duranium 17 200 (1)  Neutronium 12 458 (0.8)  Tritanium 19 732 (1)

Code: (Psyche (REPUBLIC)) [Select]

Neutronium 9 000 (0.9)  Tritanium 15 845 (1)  Corundium 4 887 (0.9)  Gallicite 13 493 (1)

Code: (Hekate) [Select]

Corbomite 11 210 (1)  Uridium 16 978 (1)

Code: (Ariadne (FEDERATION)) [Select]

Neutronium 8 821 (0.9)  Tritanium 15 611 (1)  Corundium 12 457 (1)

Code: (Artemis) [Select]

Neutronium 2 809 (1)  Vendarite 900 (1)

Code: (Melpomene) [Select]

Boronide 36 (1)  Vendarite 1 296 (1)

Code: (Astraea (FEDERATION)) [Select]

Duranium 9 514 (1) Corbomite 13 839 (1) Boronide 10 274 (1) Corundium 12 080 (1)

Code: (Aurelia (FEDERATION)) [Select]

Duranium 15 300 (0.9) Sorium 9 730 (1) Gallicite 11 525 (0.9)

Code: (Klotho (FEDERATION)) [Select]

Duranium 20 000 (1) Uridium 49 (1)

Code: (Euphrosyne) [Select]

Duranium 4 471 (1)  Tritanium 1 474 (1)  Mercassium 8 493 (1)  Vendarite 15 415 (0.9)

Code: (Chicago) [Select]

Duranium 19 700 (1)  Corbomite 5 171 (1)  Vendarite 3 482 (0.9)  Uridium 4 914 (1)

Code: (Diana) [Select]

Tritanium 6 084 (1)

Code: (Sappho) [Select]

Corundium 23 800 (1)

Code: (Hebe) [Select]

Duranium 3 042 (1) Neutronium 81 (1) Corbomite 5 184 (1) Boronide 2 500 (1) Mercassium 1 681 (1) Uridium 4 (1)

Code: (Pallas) [Select]

Neutronium 12 300 (0.9) Tritanium 4 233 (1) Sorium 16 100 (1) Corundium 9 891 (1) Gallicite 12 844 (0.9)

Code: (Alkmene) [Select]

Corbomite 10 392 (0.9) Mercassium 13 766 (0.9) Sorium 5 438 (0.9) Corundium 19 151 (1)

Code: (Hygiea) [Select]

Duranium 11 889 (0.9) Gallicite 23 111 (1)

Code: (Kalypso) [Select]

Boronide 4 311 (1) Vendarite 5 627 (1) Uridium 17 191 (0.8)

Inner System

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Code: (Eros) [Select]

Duranium 13 100 (1) Mercassium 12 700 (0.9) Corundium 8 900 (1)

Comets

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Code: (Comet Wolf) [Select]

Mercassium 13 985 (0.5)  Uridium 20 454 (0.7)

Code: (Tempel-Tuttle (REPUBLIC CMC)) [Select]

Duranium 28 612 (0.9)  Mercassium 6 711 (0.8)  Sorium 1 834 (0.5)

Code: (Schaumasse) [Select]

Mercassium 20 868 (0.8)

Code: (Wolf-Harrington (REPUBLIC)) [Select]

Duranium 19 226 (1)  Neutronium 62 830 (0.5)  Mercassium 9 134 (0.5)

Code: (Machholz (REPUBLIC)) [Select]

Tritanium 124 654 (0.8)  Boronide 49 212 (0.5)  Vendarite 34 200 (0.8)

Code: (Borrelly) [Select]

Sorium 21 245 (0.6) Uridium 55 590 (0.8)

Code: (Comas Sola) [Select]

Boronide 23 049 (0.9) Gallicite 19 242 (0.5)

Code: (Van Biesbroeck) [Select]

Corbomite 26 399 (1) Tritanium 17 189 (0.9) Uridium 39 439 (0.7)

Code: (Tempel 1) [Select]

Duranium 80 902 (1) Mercassium 19 477 (0.8) Sorium 28 084 (0.8)

Code: (Reinmuth) [Select]

Neutronium 8 924 (0.5) Tritanium 16 658 (0.9) Uridium 14 156 (1)

Code: (Wild) [Select]

Boronide 4 904 (0.9)

Code: (Chernykh) [Select]

Duranium 38 590 (0.7)

Code: (Neujmin) [Select]

Neutronium 36 474 (0.8) Corbomite 22 767 (0.5) Corundium 157 288 (0.8)

Jupiter Trojans

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Code: (Troilus) [Select]

Corundium 2 511 (1)

Code: (Eurybates) [Select]

Duranium 5 832 (1)

Jupiter and Saturnian systems

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Code: (Jupiter) [Select]

Sorium 286 000 (0.8)

Code: (Saturn) [Select]

Sorium 301 350 (0.4)

Code: (Dione) [Select]

Vendarite 124 913 (1)  Corundium 13 879 (1)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/VKQoFt7.png)

Northern Main Belt. Jupiter's orbital period is 11.9 years, so in about 6 years it'll be on the other side of the belt. Mars' orbital period is 1.88 years, so it's moving around relatively fast.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/F9xtsbp.png)

Southern Main Belt

Don't worry, the internal discussion is understood to be taking place before the summit itself. I'm forbidding the use of geosurvey teams, because doing that for two empires is too micromanagey for me. I'm also not using the ingame diplomacy ratings, because I think it's too inflexible for the LP.

With regard to Earth, the Federation has already stated that there is no mineral wealth there.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on March 29, 2017, 06:56:25 am

And privately, I think they're full of it.

And fair enough on not wanting to run geosurvey teams. On one hand, it's a shame, because sometimes they find absolutely massive deposits, especially if they're high skill. On the other hand, they can find absolutely massive deposits, which really throws off planning.

I was mostly thinking that the diplomacy teams would be good for RP by assigning names/ranks to the embassies, rather then for the game mechanics.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Lorknis on March 29, 2017, 08:41:36 am

I agree with the current proposal full-heartily. I'm not much of a gambler so until we either discover jump point theory or confirm the outer rim has more resources, we can't give up the inner rim. 

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Sheb on March 29, 2017, 09:03:46 am

Shouldn't we just push for free for all in both belts? If they invest in the outer belt, where, guess who will have its colonies cut off from the Homeworld in case of war....

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Lorknis on March 29, 2017, 09:08:02 am

Quote from: Sheb on March 29, 2017, 09:03:46 am

Shouldn't we just push for free for all in both belts? If they invest in the outer belt, where, guess who will have its colonies cut off from the Homeworld in case of war....

I don't think they would be as dumb as to establish colonies in the outer rim and not at least have some warships there (and troops in the colonies). While it would be a neat idea to have their colonies cut off, they ships that they push to have set up there could do damage when were not looking.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Sheb on March 29, 2017, 09:21:29 am

Maybe we should ask about demilitarized zones rather than mining rights then.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on March 29, 2017, 09:23:05 am

Quote from: Sheb on March 29, 2017, 06:19:57 am

I generally approve of your proposal. The DSTS requirement might be onerous though, why not select 4-6 posts around the belt and build them as listening post with several DSTS each instead?

I checked, and asteroid orbital motion is off, so this is a pretty valid plan. That said, I'm not sure if we won't need up to 12 (one in each 'hour') listening posts to ensure solid coverage of heat signatures, but Azzuro can give us an indication of feasible options. I think the DSTS should be installed where we already have claims, as we can just claim them as another part of the mining complexes.

In regards to demilitarized zones, you'll see I proposed the inner asteroid belt as a DMZ - we would not place warships in the inner system or belt, and they would not place warships in the belt or the outer system.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Sheb on March 29, 2017, 09:25:38 am

If they accept that, I think we don't need mining rights. We can just grab their stuff in war if needed.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 29, 2017, 10:10:04 am

Bear in mind that passive sensor ranges aren't absolute, they detect stronger signatures at longer ranges and vice versa. If you look at the picture of the northern main belt I posted earlier, the blue circle in the upper left is the passive sensor range of Callisto for 2 DSTS detecting signature strength 195 (same as the observed Federation destroyer). You could claim up to 12 asteroids which could give you encircling coverage of the main belt, but bear in mind that the Federation could still slip through if they were willing to run their ships at extremely reduced speeds. It would also necessitate claiming some asteroids without minerals, as seen in the gap to the north-east part of the belt, and of course require building 24 DSTSes. On the upside, you would be able to see the movements of all Federation freighters, colony ships and other large ships (which require more engine power to move their mass at the same speed), and may possibly get a glimpse of Federation ships if they are unaware that a DSTS is located nearby.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Karlito on March 30, 2017, 05:16:21 pm

Quote from: Hanzoku on March 29, 2017, 01:48:37 am

Mining Rights

6. I'm for free development of mineral resources in the inner and outer belts. The inner belt is more accessible and has shorter delivery times then outer belt claims. We also have no idea if the outer belt is even resource rich, so giving the Federation full rights to the inner belt is gambling that we receive any sort of return in the outer belt. Furthermore, as soon as the Federation has fully developed the inner belt, they'll break the treaty and start developing the outer belt, particularly if it is more resource rich.

7. I am fully against giving up current claims in the inner asteroid belt, with the exception of Klotho. We may be prepared to sell them the Klotho claim for the value of 10,000 tons of Duranium and 24 tons of Uridium.

((Well by the time Sol System resource scarcity really starts to matter we'll hopefully have access to the resources of other star systems))

My only concern with free development of resources is that it doesn't do anything to address the causes of the Klotho crisis, so we're likely to see similar incidents in the future. At the very least both governments should agree to an explicit protocol for making and recognizing each other's claims. My other suggestion is that both governments agree to a limit on the number of claims they may make in a year, so that we won't see anyone suddenly claiming half the belt.

I'm in favor of all the other proposals though.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on March 31, 2017, 01:48:46 pm

Ceres - 20th May 2100, 04:20 UTC

Classical music (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9SIS6wBxpI) plays over the speakers as the Federation delegation takes their seats. CEO Hanzoku begins the summit with a comprehensive proposal covering civilian management, survey and mining rights, military codes of conduct, and even suggesting improvements in diplomatic ties between the two polities. His nearly ten-minute long speech, however, draws only sidelong looks and uncomfortable fidgeting from the Federation side of the room.

A Federation Administrator rises from his chair to deliver the Federation's response. He coughs twice, and speaks, "The Federation of Mars, while we are committed to the survival of humanity as a whole through peace, believes that there cannot be true peace until there is only one polity covering the solar system. To that end, we will do whatever it takes to ensure humanity's unity."

On the word 'unity', every member of the Federation delegation draws a personal sidearm and opens fire, while FSS agents lay down a devastating automatic barrage with their gauss machineguns. About a third of the Republic's party is killed instantly, and the security guards take precious seconds to scramble for cover before returning fire.

(http://i.imgur.com/BuYYYDN.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/XzEXJBR.png)

In orbit, William Herschel is rocked by rapid-fire impacts that quickly chew through her armour. A lucky shot strikes Commander Finch's bunk and kills him instantly, while the on-duty bridge staff scramble to ready their railguns, hindered by the utter panic that is gripping the ship's crew.

(http://i.imgur.com/s0MNK1Z.png)

It is no use. Having taken the Republic by surprise, the William Herschel disintegrates into a shattered wreck in orbit over Ceres, without firing a single shot in return. In the compound below, FSS agents sweep room-by-room, massacring the Republic's delegation to the last man.

Ny Enhet, Ganymede - 20th May 2100, 04:20 UTC

(http://i.imgur.com/bRq2k2g.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/FOQA7zu.png)

Thirty-four drive plumes bloom across the screens at the Callisto Deep Space Monitor Array, appearing just 400 kiloklicks from Ganymede. "That's impossible!" cries the operators at Callisto. "They can't have known that the upper commanders of the Navy would be gone on this exact day, May 20th!"

The Federation fleet summarily blasts the three Falcons from RNB Tapperhet out of orbit before proceeding to destroy the orbital shipyards, crippling the Republic's ability to make war. As the three Carrier Fleets burn at maximum power toward Ganymede, particle beams obliterate Ny Enhet from the face of the moon, and the Federation taskforce commander delivers an ultimatum to the inbound Republic warships: surrender their ships or the 380 million Republic citizens on Ganymede suffer the same fate. After five minutes of frantic deliberations between the Republic captains, bereft of higher command, they surrender to protect the population on Ganymede.

The other four moons of the Republic also vote to join the Federation, in the face of their overwhelming space superiority. Having succeeded in unifying all of humanity, the Federation of Mars renames itself the United Federation of Planets, while the Outer Systems Republic is consigned to the footnotes of human history.

BAD END

((Well, thanks for playing Aurora! Head on over to Forum Games for my next game, You Are A Galactic Polity, featuring the winner of this one, the United Federation of Planets!))

April Fools! Actual update will come tomorrow, when the Federation responds to Hanzoku's proposals in a less violent fashion.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Karlito on March 31, 2017, 01:55:30 pm

((Ha, you got me :))))

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on March 31, 2017, 02:25:49 pm

((Oh. Well, that was a disappointing thing.

If this is for tomorrow, you're a day early. :P))

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on April 01, 2017, 03:08:52 am

Ceres Summit - 20th May 2100, 04:20 UTC

Classical music plays over the speakers as the Federation delegation takes their seats. CEO Hanzoku begins the summit with a comprehensive proposal (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=163000.msg7406331#msg7406331) outlining civilian management, survey and mining rights, military codes of conduct, and even suggesting improvements in diplomatic ties between the two polities. After his ten-minute long opening address, there is a short break before the summit moves to discuss the main issue of mineral and colonisation rights in the Main Belt and beyond.

A Federation Administrator, identified by his nameplate as Administrator Jay Hartley of Luna, stands and speaks, "We are in full agreement with CEO Hanzoku's sentiments that the resources of the asteroid belt should be freely developed by humanity, instead of being constrained by conflict between our two powers. However, we are also concerned that one power may fall behind in space exploration and exploitation, to the point where open conflict would seem to be the only recourse to avoid falling into irrelevance, thus negating our efforts here to prevent war."

"To that end, we have drafted a convention between the Republic and the Federation on legitimate claiming of space bodies and the mutual recognisance of each other's claims, with a mechanism for ensuring both powers are nominally matched in extent of claims. To begin with, we will reaffirm our recognition of the current Republic colonies on 52 Europa, Psyche, Wolf-Harrington, Machholz and Klotho, as long as the Republic does likewise for our colonies on Astraea, Aurelia and Ariadne."

"The meat of the matter which brought us here today was the lack of verification of claims. Under our convention, both powers shall be entitled to send inspectors to verify the other's claims to an asteroid in person, provided that said inspectors are conveyed there by ships of the claiming power, and provided that the inspectors carry just enough equipment to verify that they are on the correct asteroid to prevent trickery. Claims shall be recognised as legitimate if they have at least one installation of any kind (except colonist infrastructure) on the body in question, regardless of the population or lack thereof."

"Both powers shall be matched in number of bodies claimed. At the current moment, the Federation will be entitled to claim two more asteroids immediately to match the Republic's five claims. Thereafter, neither of the powers may have more than one more claim over the other, so if the Republic were to make a sixth claim, it could not make a seventh until the Federation made its sixth claim. To prevent one power unilaterally holding up the development of the asteroid belt, both powers are entitled to continue claiming one additional asteroid every six months after their previous claim if the other power has not matched it in that time."

"With regard to 'moving' colonies on a comet, the current standard of a 10 million km exclusion cordon shall not apply . Within that limit, no military ships may be stationed at a comet colony, although civilian ships will be allowed to pass to the colony, subject to inspection by the power controlling that space. This will preserve the sovereignty of each power as much as possible without unduly hindering the development of TNE-rich comets."

Spoiler: Ceres Accords (click to show/hide)

Ceres Accords

Hartley Convention on Claim and Transit Rights
Here asteroid is shorthand for asteroids, trojan asteroids, comets, moons of the inner six planets and dwarf planets
1. Each power will have an equal number of asteroid claims at the time of this accord, verified in the least intrusive manner possible by the other power.
2. Each power may make one more claim at any time if they have equal or lesser number of total claims than the other power. The power with more claims may not make a claim except under point 3.
3. Each power will be entitled to claim at a minimum rate of one asteroid per six months, if the other power has not matched their number of claims in that period.
4. The claiming of an asteroid will be verified in the least intrusive manner possible by the other power, and a legitimate claim is defined as having at least one installation on the body in question, with the exception of purely colonial infrastructure.
5. A claim to a body will include a 10 million km exclusion cordon of space around the body, in which any ships (military or civilian) or the other power may not pass, excepting the circumstances in point 6.
6. In the case of comets and other 'moving' bodies, such an exclusion cordon will not apply at all within 230 million km of the sun, or 230 million km of the current position of Jupiter, and the powers controlling those spaces will be allowed to pass any ships at any distance from the comet colony. The claiming power may not station any military ships at the comet, but is allowed to transit civilian ships within the other power's sphere of influence to their colony, subject to inspection.

Another Federation official, one Administrator Elizabeth Brennan of Federal Aurelia, speaks as well, "We are interested in taking up CEO Hanzoku's offer of selling us their claim to Klotho, for the price of 10,000 tons Duranium and 24 tons Uridium. We will additionally offer the mineral and credit price of however many mines the Republic has on Klotho to purchase them as well, to simplify the handover process. The Federation will of course forfeit the claiming of two more asteroids under Hartley's convention if this deal goes through."


((Well, this is my first time doing so much diplomacy, so if you guys have any questions about the Federation's terms, you can ask OOC. I've decided to split the Summit up into topics, from claiming/transit rights -> civilian management and trade -> survey rights -> military standards to break down the discussion into more manageable parts, though nothing will be signed until the very end of the summit, and you guys can bring the discussion back to previous points at any time.

Also to shed some light on the milieu of this LP, the Republic and the Federation are the only polities covering all of humanity; there are no neutral states of any sort. That's why the Federation included the verification to be done by inspectors from the other power, instead of setting up an independent international commission or regulatory authority that is common to diplomatic accords today, as any such commission would be powerless and de facto not independent anyway in the setting. Also, the Federation is not a monolithic decision-making entity, there are little separate factions and power blocs within them that I'm RPing, so expect the Federation's behaviour to be occasionally inconsistent rather than perfectly rational powergaming.))

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: TalonisWolf on April 03, 2017, 01:11:05 am

At a first glance, those terms sound advantageous enough to accept. If we do claim a comet, I submit a proposal to equip it with sensors to get a peek into Federation territory.

---

Spoiler: You were... slightly off. (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/hnHHcXP.jpg)

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Sheb on April 03, 2017, 02:08:23 am

I'd rather trade the mine of Klotho for equivalent amount of mines or something. Mines don't only cost minerals and money, but also manufacturing time. I'd also would wish a mineral report exchange on the current claims before agreeing to them.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on April 03, 2017, 05:31:57 am

((I looked at his profile after the fact. He's all the way over in Singapore, so it was perfectly valid for him. Stupid time zones mucking everything up. :P))

Before the meeting...

"...but it's a beautiful piece of classical music!" protested the functionary in charge of the entertainment.

"Listen. It was written for an ancient show on earth from the beginning of the last century. It's famous in the show as being played as a signal to ambush and murder the other party at a wedding feast. 

Look, what I can see happening if that's playing is... He explains the events of the April's Fool's post.

One of the security guards has listened in and objects. "Come now, Mr. Hanzoku. We have state of the art scanners, and we'd see instantly if they were bringing that sort of firepower into the meeting hall."

Hanzoku shrugged. "I agree it's unlikely, but... just find something else to play, alright?"

The director of entertainment sulkily agreed, and with a frown, the security guard went to his superior, who ordered the active sensors on the carrier fleets turned on briefly... purely as a training exercise.

Thought's on the Federation's proposal

Overall, I think the accords are acceptable. We can factor in the manufacturing time and travel time into the total cost of the mine. Selling the Klotho claim for that price gets us half of its resources immediately, while they Federation will be busy for years in recouping the cost, much less turning a profit from it. It clears up a tension point in the asteroid, and we can claim the next two asteroids that we find useful.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on April 03, 2017, 09:41:26 am

((Just to clarify, the Federation forfeiting its claim was in reference to the two extra asteroids they would get to claim immediately prior to the Hartley Convention coming into effect, which was to bring the two powers to parity in asteroid claims. Trading Klotho would also bring them to parity, which was why they were 'of course' willing to forfeit their two free claims for the deal. Sorry if that wasn't clear.))

Ceres Summit - 20th May 2100, 04:50 UTC

After a quick discussion, Commodore Sheb, resplendent in his blue-black ceremonial dress uniform, stands to deliver the Republic's response. He states, "While we are happy that the issue of Klotho may be resolved peacefully with trade, the Republic is not willing to trade the mines on Klotho for the current price offered. Mines don't only cost minerals and money, they also take up manufacturing time. We would be willing to trade the Klotho mines for an equivalent amount elsewhere."

"In addition, we would like to exchange the mineral surveys of our current claims before agreeing to this deal."

Federation Administrator Brennan scowls. "In that case, the mine trade is off the table. The Republic will have to remove its mines on Klotho by the handover date, to be fixed at three weeks from today, when the Federation takes possession."

She looks ready to continue, but is interrupted by Administrator Kumari Chitale of Mercury. "We agree to an exchange of mineral survey data, to give both sides a better idea of the asteroid claiming situation. I am transmitting the current TNE quantities on our colonies to you now."

Code: (Astraea) [Select]

Duranium 9 514 (1) Corbomite 13 839 (1) Boronide 10 274 (1) Corundium 12 080 (1)

Code: (Aurelia) [Select]

Duranium 15 300 (0.9) Sorium 9 730 (1) Gallicite 11 525 (0.9)

Code: (Ariadne) [Select]

Neutronium 8 808 (0.9) Tritanium 15 597 (1) Corundium 12 443 (1)Current mineral counts of 52 Europa, Psyche, Wolf-Harrington, Machholz and Klotho have likewise been transmitted to the Federation.

Administrator Chitale continues, "With the recent launch of the Republic's first civilian-owned freighter, it seems likely that civilian enterprise could also expand into the asteroid TNE mining industry. I concur with CEO Hanzoku that they should be allowed free rights to any non-colonised body, and would like to add that such claims should not fall under the Hartley Convention if and when they occur."

"However, the Federation is at this time, opposed to any free trade deal with the Republic. Perhaps we will reconsider when relations between our powers improve."

"Regarding geological survey rights, the Federation stands by its position that Republic vessels shall not be allowed within the orbit of Mars. We are willing to release geosurvey data on the non-populated bodies within, if the Republic likewise reveals its surveys of the Jovian and Saturnian systems excepting their populated worlds. As for other bodies in the outer planets and Kuiper Belt, both powers shall have the right to freely conduct geological surveys, or ask for a one-time mineral count if the body has already been colonised."

Spoiler: Ceres Accords (click to show/hide)

Ceres Accords

Hartley Convention on Claim and Transit Rights
Here 'asteroid' is shorthand for asteroids, trojan asteroids, comets, moons (except those of the inner six planets) and dwarf planets
1. Each power will have an equal number of asteroid claims at the time of this accord, verified in the least intrusive manner possible by the other power.
2. Each power may make one more claim at any time if they have equal or lesser number of total claims than the other power. The power with more claims may not make a claim except under point 3.
3. Each power will be entitled to claim at a minimum rate of one asteroid per six months, if the other power has not matched their number of claims in that period.
4. The claiming of an asteroid will be verified in the least intrusive manner possible by the other power, and a legitimate claim is defined as having at least one installation on the body in question, with the exception of purely colonial infrastructure.
5. A claim to a body will include a 10 million km exclusion cordon of space around the body, in which any ships (military or civilian) or the other power may not pass, excepting the circumstances in point 6.
6. In the case of comets and other 'moving' bodies, such an exclusion cordon will not apply at all within 230 million km of the sun, or 230 million km of the current position of Jupiter, and the powers controlling those spaces will be allowed to pass any ships at any distance from the comet colony. The claiming power may not station any military ships at the comet, but is allowed to transit civilian ships within the other power's sphere of influence to their colony, subject to inspection.
7. Civilian mining operations shall be considered a claim for their parent power, without being counted for or subjected to the restrictions on claims in points 1, 2 and 3

The Klotho Deal
The Federation shall pay the Republic 10,000 tons of Duranium and 24 of Uridium, delivered to a location of the Republic's choosing, and in return the Republic shall remove its mines from Klotho and acknowledge the Federation claim to it, both by the handover date of June 11th, 2100.

((Exchange the geosurvey data for the non populated worlds (Saturn, Jupiter, Dione)? Try to press on for free trade?

Also, I realised that there was a mistake in the wording, it's supposed to be 'moons EXCEPT THOSE of the inner six planets'. It's been updated, along with the Klotho deal.))

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Karlito on April 03, 2017, 02:32:56 pm

I believe the geosurvey data they're offering is limited to Venus, the moons of Mars, potentially a few inner-system asteroids, and of course, Earth. If we believe the Federation is concealing mineral wealth on Earth, I doubt they'll own up to it now, and if we believe their claims that Earth is depleted, we're not likely to learn much else.

That said, I'll add my support to the terms of the Ceres accords as they currently stand.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: TalonisWolf on April 03, 2017, 06:57:44 pm

Quote from: Azzuro on April 03, 2017, 09:41:26 am

4. The claiming of an asteroid will be verified in the least intrusive manner possible by the other power, and a legitimate claim is defined as having at least one installation on the body in question, with the exception of purely colonial infrastructure.

Wait, does this mean that if we built a colony with only colonial infrastructure for the intent of, say, research or pure manufacturing, it wouldn't be considered a legitimate claim? I know this is just sounds nitpicky, but if we built purely sensor outpost colonies in the belt they may not be recognized as ours, and I could see the Feds wiping out such a colony and claiming 'they were clearing out what looked like a pirate base, sorry for the misunderstanding!'.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Sheb on April 04, 2017, 01:26:32 am

I guess purely colonial infrastructure means just some life support without acutal colonists. We should ask for clarification.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on April 04, 2017, 06:24:34 am

Purely colonial infrastructure means just Infrastructure (in the Aurora mechanics sense) with no other installations of any other kind and no colonists using that infrastructure. So if a body has only:

1 Automine: ok
1 Mine, Construction Factory, DSTS, Research Lab, GFTF, etc. : ok
10 Infrastructure with colonists inhabiting it: ok
1 or 1000000 Infrastructure that is uninhabited: Not ok

Although the Feds likely won't be happy if you straight out tell them "we claimed this asteroid with the sole intention of spying on your ships" regardless, but they can't raise a legal objection to it.

Also, need some consensus on whether to take the current offer of geosurvey data for the unpopulated inner system in exchange for geosurvey data for the unpopulated Jovian and Saturnian systems. Karlito, I assume you're voting against?

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on April 05, 2017, 02:47:32 am

I'm for trade of mineral data - we're not facing mineral shortages to the point where knowledge of the presence or lack of certain minerals would raise tensions.

I believe we should push for civilian free trade between inhabited bodies - doing so promotes cross cultural appreciation, and will help moderate any 'Us vs Them' feelings our civilian populations might foster if contact is limited to only government functionaries. I realize it might sound silly, but tourists appreciating Titan ice-sculpting or mountain climbing Olympus Mons on Mars helps ground our populations and keep in mind that we are all still one people, despite our different governing bodies.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Sheb on April 05, 2017, 03:06:15 am

I concur with Hanzoku.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Karlito on April 05, 2017, 06:18:04 am

On consideration, I also think we might as well trade the geosurvey data. In the spirit of scientific cooperation and all that.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on April 05, 2017, 01:28:20 pm

Ceres Summit - 20th May 2100, 05:10 UTC

"We will accept this further exchange of geosurvey data, in the spirit of scientific cooperation" says Governor Karlito. Federation attachés begin to transmit the geosurvey data to the networks of the Republic, while Republic diplomats do the same.

Code: (Eros) [Select]

Duranium 13 100 (1) Mercassium 12 700 (0.9) Corundium 8 900 (1)

Code: (Tempel 1) [Select]

Duranium 80 902 (1) Mercassium 19 477 (0.8) Sorium 28 084 (0.8)

Code: (Reinmuth) [Select]

Neutronium 8 924 (0.5) Tritanium 16 658 (0.9) Uridium 14 156 (1)Note that Tempel 1 and Reinmuth are both comets currently outbound from the Sun. Only Eros is a fixed asteroid. Data on TNE reserves of Jupiter, Saturn and Dione have likewise been sent to the Federation.

Across the room at the Federation table, the professional diplomats maintain a straight face as they look through the Republic's data on the TNE deposits of Jupiter, Saturn and Dione. Other less experienced officials try, but don't quite manage to hide their surprise at the data: sharp intakes of breath and raised eyebrows are evident on many faces.

After a quick scan through the data, a suspicious Governor Karlito inquires, "Do you have data for Venus and Earth?"

"The Federation has scanned Venus and Earth and found both to be empty of TNE minerals." Administrator Hartley delivers this answer without blinking.

CEO Hanzoku, not to be deterred, presses on, "I believe free trade between our worlds - and the resultant cross-cultural appreciation stemming from trade and tourism - will do more to advance the cause of peace for which we are gathered here today. The civil societies we represent know hardly anything of each other except as the cause of the foreign policy crises on the news, and the closest most citizens will ever get to the worlds of their long-separated brothers is abroad a warship, standing a ceaseless vigil and ready at a moment's notice, to reduce them to ashes from orbit! Which they will not have any qualms about doing, if they never know the myriad traditions and cultures, the innumerable little habs and domes, the countless lives and families that make up our glorious states except as numbers! It may sound silly, but tourists appreciating the ice-sculpting on Titan or mountain climbing Olympus Mons on Mars helps to ground our populations and remind them that we are all still one people, all that's left of humanity, despite our different governing bodies. Free trade will do more to create a lasting and stable peace than any treaty we sign today. Free trade will lead to better relations between our powers, not vice versa. Will the Federation not consider paving the way for true peace tomorrow by allowing free trade today?"

His impromptu speech draws polite applause from the Republic side, and even some scattered nods from the Federation table. The Federation Administrators Chitale and Brennan confer quickly, before the former stands up.

She replies, "After re-evaluating, the Federation will be willing to open up free trade with the Republic, if the Federation is allowed to claim the Saturnian moon Dione as a mining colony. Dione would be considered one of our claims under the Hartley Convention, if you agree."

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Karlito on April 05, 2017, 05:50:58 pm

I am against granting the Federation sovereignty over a part of the Saturn system. I also think that given the underdeveloped state of the civilian shipping industry, there is no need to push for a trade agreement right now.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Sheb on April 06, 2017, 03:38:03 am

I disagree on principle on having to make unilateral concessions just to secure a trade deal that would benefits us both equally. As chief of our military, I also would rather have the Federation stays out of Saturn.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on April 06, 2017, 07:12:46 am

I have to reluctantly concur. Allowing the Federation to stake a claim to a Saturnian moon opens the precedent to further claims to other moons. Further, just as the Federation is reluctant to allow us any access to the inner system, A permanent colony around one of the Republic's claimed planets is undesirable to the populace.

Hopefully in the future, free trade can be discussed without attaching conditions to it.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Lorknis on April 06, 2017, 08:22:24 am

Indeed, that colony would be a little too close for comfort. Though I am curious if they'd let us do the same if we asked for the same favor and we accepted their terms.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on April 06, 2017, 08:39:00 am

Hah! I agree. Offer mining rights for Dione in exchange for Republic mining rights to Deimos or Phobos (and free trade between our nations). We would each have a civilian enclave in the other's space to facilitate polite interaction.

((I just want to see their faces when faced with the idea of a Republican colony that close to home, given how caught up they are with exclusion zones and their efforts to keep us out of the inner system.

I also agree with a suggestion from earlier - we really want to get some DSTS on our comet claim as it swings through the inner system. We can always pull them back off again afterwards.))

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on April 06, 2017, 09:11:13 am

Neither Deimos nor Phobos have been stated to have TNE deposits by the Federation data, do you guys want to ask anyway? Also, the Republic doesn't have any 'extra' DSTS (you have 4 in total split between Titan and Callisto), so putting some on Wolf-Harrington or Machholz will necessary have to take from the existing sensors on Titan/Callisto, so I'm going to need double confirmation on that.

Remember, there's a house rule of no more than 2 DSTS per body. Any extra I will SM away and keep track of outside the game until you ship it elsewhere.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on April 06, 2017, 09:30:58 am

((Understood, I was going from the assumption that we'd build extras to bring Titan and Callisto back to capacity, and/or have some in parts, ready to assemble.

I'd say go ahead and ask, just to see their faces. I'm not above messing with them a little. It also forces them to be the first to say no.))

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Lorknis on April 06, 2017, 09:58:52 am

Indeed, it's good to be a little cheeky with the Federation since they're so bold as to suggest building a colony inside our borders. Also since they said that Earth has no resources, I'm sure they wouldn't mind if we claimed Earth right?  :P

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Silverthrone on April 06, 2017, 12:29:37 pm

Now this is rather amusing! I am not quite prepared to take part in the voting and the leadership, but I can always contribute with the odd picture and flavour-text.

Such as a picture of an Achilles-class gunboat.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

(http://i.imgur.com/DceTt9w.png)

The Achilles is the work horse of the OSR navy, and is used for escort, patrol and planetary defence. It was designed in 2089, as a part of the naval construction programme launched by the Republic in response to the Polemos Incident. It was based on a robust civilian trade and industry vessel that was common in the outer systems at the time. It is a basic vessel, cheap and simple to produce, with its main advantage being its speed and its effective weapon range. It carries a meson canon as its only weaponry, making it a very dangerous opponent at close range.

Ensign Arved Sharp, Home Defense Squadron Beta:

"It's bare, basic. It's cramped, it's crowded, it gets really hot with all systems engaged... It's more like a flying gun carriage than a ship, really. It's all about the meson; they needed a good gun up there, and they slapped it onto a decent hull, crammed in the rest of it and stamped out thirty of them in ten years. Not bad work, mind. It works. Does what it's supposed to. Anyone come cruising for trouble, they'll get ten of us to play with. And mesons ain't no laughing matter. Armour won't help. We'll fry them from the inside-out."

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on April 06, 2017, 01:08:03 pm

Ceres Summit - 20th May 2100, 05:30 UTC

A quick flurry of messages is exchanged between the personal communicators of Republic leaders as Administrator Kumari Chitale sits back down. She seems completely unaware of the sheer brazenness of the terms she has presented, or at least is extremely skilled at pretending otherwise.

Opinion is nearly unanimous against the deal, with Commodore Sheb noting the repercussions on military security of allowing the Federation to claim a foothold in the Saturnian system. Ganymede Governor Lorknis comes up with an equally audacious counteroffer, to both illustrate the ridiculousness of the Federation's deal in their own terms and 'mess with them a little', in his words in a private message to CEO Hanzoku.

He speaks, "The Republic would be interested in taking up this deal, but in the interests of encouraging peaceful exchange between our powers, we would claim colonization rights for either Phobos or Deimos. After all, what better way to facilitate polite interaction than having a civilian enclave in each other's space, from which tourists might experience the worlds of the other?"

There is a brief, almost imperceptible pause in expression across the room as diplomats process his counteroffer. Then, the reaction is unmissable and even hilarious, as Federation officials sputter in disbelief, raise eyebrows and in the case of one unfortunate navy officer, choke on an ill-timed sip of water. One notable exception is Administrator Chitale, who maintains her perfectly serene expression listening to Governor Lorknis' words.

Seeing the furore his words have caused, Governor Lorknis adds, "If Phobos and Deimos are unacceptable, we're willing to claim Earth instead. Surely, as Earth has no minerals and Dione has, the Federation would benefit greatly from this deal?" If anything, the chaos grows at the Federation table, with several poorly-whispered conversations breaking out between groups and furious typing on keyboards.

Eventually, Administrator Brennan replies with a stony expression on her face. "It is clear that the free trade deal is unpalatable to both of us as of now. Let us move on to other matters. The Federation is also unwilling to establish the main asteroid belt as a demilitarised zone between our powers. Surely, you cannot fail to see that such a zone would literally cut off the Federation's expansion and encircle us, while the Republic remains free to colonise and exploit resources of the Kuiper Belt and outermost planets, and even expand to other star systems in time, as the Federation stagnates in the inner system indefinitely. In any case, as Hartley's Convention already forbids the passage of military and civilian ships within 10 million km of a claim, we see little need to set up demilitarised zones as long as the convention is adhered to."

Spoiler: Ceres Accords (click to show/hide)

Ceres Accords

Hartley Convention on Claim and Transit Rights
Here 'asteroid' is shorthand for asteroids, trojan asteroids, comets, moons (except those of the inner six planets) and dwarf planets
1. Each power will have an equal number of asteroid claims at the time of this accord, verified in the least intrusive manner possible by the other power.
2. Each power may make one more claim at any time if they have equal or lesser number of total claims than the other power. The power with more claims may not make a claim except under point 3.
3. Each power will be entitled to claim at a minimum rate of one asteroid per six months, if the other power has not matched their number of claims in that period.
4. The claiming of an asteroid will be verified in the least intrusive manner possible by the other power, and a legitimate claim is defined as having at least one installation on the body in question, with the exception of purely colonial infrastructure.
5. A claim to a body will include a 10 million km exclusion cordon of space around the body, in which any ships (military or civilian) of the other power may not pass, excepting the circumstances in point 6.
6. In the case of comets and other 'moving' bodies, such an exclusion cordon will not apply at all within 230 million km of the sun, or 230 million km of the current position of Jupiter, and the powers controlling those spaces will be allowed to pass any ships at any distance from the comet colony. The claiming power may not station any military ships at the comet, but is allowed to transit civilian ships within the other power's sphere of influence to their colony, subject to inspection.
7. Civilian mining operations shall be considered a claim for their parent power, without being counted for or subjected to the restrictions on claims in points 1, 2 and 3.

Hanzoku Agreement on Survey Rights
Both powers shall have the right to freely conduct geological surveys of unclaimed bodies, outside of the area within 230 million km of the sun or 230 million km of current position of Jupiter or Saturn. If a body has already been claimed by the other power under the Hartley Convention prior to survey, both powers have the right to request for a one-time mineral count of that body.

The Klotho Deal
The Federation shall pay the Republic 10,000 tons of Duranium and 24 tons of Uridium, delivered to a location of the Republic's choosing, and in return the Republic shall remove its mines from the main-belt asteroid Klotho and acknowledge the Federation claim to it, both by the handover date of June 11th, 2100.

((Are there any other matters to address? If everyone is agreeable to the terms of the accords as presented above, then the Republic will sign it next update. Otherwise you can add on or debate specific points with the Federation.

Also welcome Silverthrone! Thanks for the pic, I think this is the first fanart that I've ever gotten for an LP. Descriptions of other Republic ship classes can also be found on the first page. And don't be afraid to vote for or suggest things, I generally go by majority rule so any particularly silly moves will be outvoted.))

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Sheb on April 06, 2017, 09:35:22 pm

I'm okay with thedeal.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Lorknis on April 06, 2017, 11:08:31 pm

I think we can finally accept this deal. We'll own Earth though, one day.  8)

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: somemildmanneredidiot on April 07, 2017, 10:25:16 am

If their concern is being encircled by us, why not request literally any other moon not within the Saturn sphere of influence? Like, our main governing body is within that area right? Am I missing something?

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on April 07, 2017, 11:55:51 am

They requested to claim Dione only after seeing its mineral reports during the data trade. Make of that what you will. Also, four of the Republic's five starting worlds are the Galilean Moons of Jupiter - including the capital Ny Enhet on Ganymede. Titan is the Republic's possession in the Saturn system, and is something of a backwater, albeit growing as it is getting terraformed.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Karlito on April 07, 2017, 06:28:45 pm

Nice fanart. Nice agreement. I think we're at a good place to close negotiations.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on April 08, 2017, 09:34:52 am

Ceres Summit - 20th May 2100, 06:00 UTC

After an additional half-hour of discussions and poring through minutiae, both parties eventually agree on the terms of the Ceres Accords, setting out rules and regulations regarding survey, mineral and transit rights intended to hopefully prevent a repeat of the Klotho Crisis. The Republic Congress Representatives present sign on behalf of the Outer Systems Republic, while a group of Federation Senators sign on behalf of the Federation of Mars.

Spoiler: Ceres Accords (click to show/hide)

Ceres Accords - ratified 20th May, 2100

Hartley Convention on Claim and Transit Rights
Here 'asteroid' is shorthand for asteroids, trojan asteroids, comets, moons (except those of the inner six planets) and dwarf planets
1. Each power will have an equal number of asteroid claims at the time of this accord, verified in the least intrusive manner possible by the other power.
2. Each power may make one more claim at any time if they have equal or lesser number of total claims than the other power. The power with more claims may not make a claim except under point 3.
3. Each power will be entitled to claim at a minimum rate of one asteroid per six months, if the other power has not matched their number of claims in that period.
4. The claiming of an asteroid will be verified in the least intrusive manner possible by the other power, and a legitimate claim is defined as having at least one installation on the body in question, with the exception of purely colonial infrastructure.
5. A claim to a body will include a 10 million km exclusion cordon of space around the body, in which any ships (military or civilian) of the other power may not pass, excepting the circumstances in point 6.
6. In the case of comets and other 'moving' bodies, such an exclusion cordon will not apply at all within 230 million km of the sun, or 230 million km of the current position of Jupiter, and the powers controlling those spaces will be allowed to pass any ships at any distance from the comet colony. The claiming power may not station any military ships at the comet, but is allowed to transit civilian ships within the other power's sphere of influence to their colony, subject to inspection.
7. Civilian mining operations shall be considered a claim for their parent power, without being counted for or subjected to the restrictions on claims in points 1, 2 and 3.

Hanzoku Agreement on Survey Rights
Both powers shall have the right to freely conduct geological surveys of unclaimed bodies, outside of the area within 230 million km of the sun or 230 million km of current position of Jupiter or Saturn. If a body has already been claimed by the other power under the Hartley Convention prior to survey, both powers have the right to request for a one-time mineral count of that body.

The Klotho Deal
The Federation shall pay the Republic 10,000 tons of Duranium and 24 tons of Uridium, delivered to a location of the Republic's choosing, and in return the Republic shall remove its mines from the main-belt asteroid Klotho and acknowledge the Federation claim to it, both by the handover date of June 11th, 2100.

(http://i.imgur.com/W0ESiQw.png)

As the RNS William Herschel departs Ceres another hour later, preparations are underway for the transfer of the asteroid Klotho to Federation control. The Amirani 001, still 64 million km out from Ceres, is diverted to Klotho to pick up the asteroid mine there and transfer it to Psyche Station. Meanwhile, the Federation embassy in Ny Enhet begins to discuss the transfer of minerals from the Federation, with Republic planners suggesting the mineral payment be sent to 52 Europa and the mass driver there for further transferral to Ganymede.

Epigeus City, Ganymede - 21st May 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/LWFKJW6.png)

The next day, as op-eds on the Republic's news media continue to discuss the terms of the Ceres Accords, Xingjin Extraction, a mining conglomerate based out of Shangdu and owning nearly a quarter of the mines on Titan, drops a bombshell on the news networks. They announce the establishment of a civilian mining colony on the comet Tempel-Tuttle, currently crossing the orbit of Saturn outbound from Sol. The comet will reach apogee slightly outside of the orbit of Uranus before returning sunward.

(http://i.imgur.com/pKhLS4V.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/zu37UHx.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/qPbc4ax.png)

Fuelled by an upsurge in investment from many other corporations across the Republic, the mining complex is expansive, with analysts expecting it to produce nearly twice the output per mineral of 52 Europa, the largest asteroid colony. Tempel-Tuttle has a significant deposit of high-accessibility Duranium, but little in the way of Sorium and Mercassium, the other two TNE minerals present. Xingjin Extraction has also made arrangements for the security of the colony, hiring private security firms for its garrison and even setting up a Deep Space Tracking System to monitor the local neighbourhood. However, perhaps the greatest guarantee of security will be the Federation inspectors en route from the embassy who will verify Xingjin Extraction's claim in accordance with the Hartley Convention.

(http://i.imgur.com/OFh88Uc.png)

While Xingjin Extraction has plans to sell the minerals mined to the civilian sector on Titan and Ganymede, executives indicate that they are willing to sell the mineral output of Tempel-Tuttle to the government - for a suitable price of 500 million credits a year. Analysts with the Republic's industrial and mining planning departments show that Duranium and Sorium stockpiles are slightly decreasing (consumption outpacing production), while Mercassium stockpiles are increasing. While Sorium use can be cut by stopping fuel production as the HiSor reserves are currently sufficient, Duranium is essential in the construction of nearly every type of installation from mines to laboratories, as well as being used in the production of all ships. However, they caution that the price of 500 million per annum may be too expensive, and that the Republic could simply continue with its mining expansion elsewhere instead, perhaps on asteroids with more varied TNE deposits.

At current, the Republic Congress debates on whether to purchase the mineral output of Tempel-Tuttle, with more expansionist representatives talking about the need to support Xingjin Extraction's claim economically, while other more fiscally-minded representatives point out the current budget, which is balanced on a knife's edge.

((Sorry for the short update, but this was a pretty big development immediately after the summit. Should we purchase the minerals or not?

Also, for Hanzoku's plan to plant a DSTS on the comet Wolf-Harrington, where should we take the DSTS from? The Republic has 4, 2 on Callisto and 2 on Titan. Or we could devote production to a new DSTS and use that instead, which would take two weeks at 90% of factory usage.))

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Karlito on April 08, 2017, 01:57:02 pm

• Purchase the minerals
• Build new DSTS

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on April 09, 2017, 08:28:06 am

Ny Enhet, Ganymede - 22nd May 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/97hsFHS.png)

The Republic government decides to buy the mineral output from Xingjin Extraction. Payment avenues are set up by the relevant offices, and the inbuilt mass driver on Temple-Tuttle begins to send mineral packets toward Ganymede. The Federation inspectors also arrive on Tempel-Tuttle, and after a short broadcast triangulation to confirm their location, the Federation embassy acknowledges the Republic's claim to the comet. The balance of claims now stands at 4 to 4, as the civilian mining colony is not counted as a government-initiated claim under points 2 and 3 of the Hartley Convention.

In the capital of Aubernia, Federation citizens are incredulous that the Republic has for once upstaged the Federation in the colonisation field, and in a way that bypasses the limits of the Hartley Convention. There are calls to expand colonisation efforts once again, though government spokespersons assure the public that Federation companies will expand offworld in their own time, and the government will not interfere in these matters.

Meanwhile, construction factories on Ganymede are redirected to the production of the gargantuan sensor arrays needed for a new Deep Space Tracking Station, expected to be complete on 6th June.

Klotho Station - 23rd May 2100, 01:08 UTC

(http://i.imgur.com/svefNOB.png)

The freighter Amirani 001 departs Klotho, with the automated mine in its cargo hold. In the time since it was set up, only two tons each of Duranium and Uridium were produced. Only the barest minimum of infrastructure remains on Klotho for the handover ceremony.

Ny Enhet, Ganymede - 25th May 2100

DE William Herschel returns to Ganymede with all the staff from the Ceres Summit. The automated mine from Klotho has been dropped off on Psyche Station.

Out around the orbit of Jupiter, RVS Andes discovers TNE deposits on the comets Wild and Chernykh, albeit unimpressive ones.

Code: (Wild) [Select]

Boronide 4 904 (0.9)

Code: (Chernykh) [Select]

Duranium 38 590 (0.7)
Abroad RVS Andes, Inside Saturn Orbit - 29th May 2100, 17:22 UTC

Significant TNE deposits are discovered on the comet Neujmin, most importantly a large deposit of good-accessibility Corundium, which is used in the production of all energy weapons and mining installations.

Code: (Neujmin) [Select]

Neutronium 36 474 (0.8) Corbomite 22 767 (0.5) Corundium 157 288 (0.8)
52 Europa - 7th June 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/BrmkE3J.png)

The Federation freighter FT Hellas 001 requests permission to dock and unload the mineral payment of 10,000 tons of Duranium, 24 tons of Uridium onto 52 Europa. After a small away team is dispatched by Governor Josh Hart and verifies the freighter is unarmed, the unloading of minerals commences. As the unloading completes, Governor Hart warns that it will take more than two years to further transfer the payment to Ganymede, as the mass driver on 52 Europa can only send 5000 tons per annum. Another freighter, the Amirani 002, is dispatched to pick up the payment.

On Aubernia, the embassy notes that there may be some dislocation of the Federation economy to accommodate the payment, as a horde of orbital dockworkers take to the bars and pubs of the city. Apparently work in the shipyards has been temporarily paused, awaiting further mineral shipments from the Luna reserves.

Klotho Station - 11th June 2100

In a short ceremony on the asteroid station Klotho, the Republic officially cedes control to the Federation. Administrator Elizabeth Brennan makes the short hop over from Aurelia to accept the station for the Federation, while the foreman of the maintenance staff turns over the station's life-support controls. The last Republic citizens, eight of them, depart for Psyche Station on a small shuttlecraft.

Meanwhile, from Ganymede, the freighter Amirani 003 is tasked to load the passive sensor arrays for a new Deep Space Tracking Station. She will make a short stop at Callisto to pick up a small staff of sensor analysts from the Callisto Deep Space Monitor Array before heading to the comet mining colony of Wolf-Harrington.

Epigeus City, Ganymede - 15th June 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/GcKMSEC.png)

As the Amirani 002 arrives at Epigeus City and begins to unload its ten thousand tons of Duranium, Governor Lorknis is on hand to emphasise how the mineral payment will give the Republic security in terms of mineral reserves, and is thus a fair trade for Klotho. Public approval of the Ceres Accords rises to a new high, as economic analysts announce the stockpile of Duranium has doubled.

Aubernia, Mars - 16th June 2100

Federation news media once again trumpet the colonisation of an asteroid. This time, Administrator Brennan welcomes a hundred thousand new colonists into the newly-excavated caverns of Federal Aurelia, while promising that the government will be dropping off mining installations soon to provide employment for the colonists. There are also reports on the state of Federal Astraea, where the population has risen to two hundred thousand, with full employment for all in the mines.

Reactions from the Republic are more muted, with large sectors of the population still believing the Republic has the lead with the new civilian mining colony on Tempel-Tuttle.

Wolf-Harrington - 19th June 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/kQ3DZrg.png)
The blue circle around Wolf-Harrington is the passive sensor range for thermal signature strength 195, the observed strength of a Federation destroyer.

The Amirani 003 finishes unloading its cargo and heads back toward Ganymede, while the staff at Wolf-Harrington Observatory begin their start-up tests of the covert deep space tracking station's systems. Almost immediately, two new drive plumes are detected heading toward the AKA region of the Main Belt. The signature strength is fairly powerful, at 1000, which combined with their heading leads analysts to conclude these are likely to be the Federation colony ships heading out toward Aurelia or Astraea. These two vessels are designated Tarantula 001 and 002.

Senior Republic Void Navy officers are surprised by the new detection, but it is quickly determined that at strength 1000, the colony ships could not be detected until around eight months later from Callisto, as Mars' orbit took it closer to Jupiter. Already, the Wolf-Harrington Observatory has proven its usefulness in monitoring Federation activity. The sensor officers on staff there begin filing requests for an expansion of the observatory before Wolf-Harrington passes within Mars orbit, during which the Federation will have the right to inspect freighters bound for it.

((Expand the observatory by adding another DSTS to make it level 2? Also, the Republic is currently free to make an additional claim at any time, since both powers are still equal. Refer to this post (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=163000.msg7406456#msg7406456) for TNE deposits known to the Republic if you want to suggest claiming an asteroid/comet.

Additional suggestions on things to do are always welcome.))

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Karlito on April 09, 2017, 02:25:01 pm

Palmas has a total accessibility of 4.8 with decent sized deposits, so we should go for that one.

I also say we should build another DSTS.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: TalonisWolf on April 09, 2017, 09:07:09 pm

Quote from: Karlito on April 09, 2017, 02:25:01 pm

Palmas has a total accessibility of 4.8 with decent sized deposits, so we should go for that one.

I also say we should build another DSTS.

I'm all for this.

Anyone else getting a Vibe that the Federation is more desperate for resources than they'd like us to know?

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on April 10, 2017, 03:37:19 am

I've been going back through the information. The Federation trying to claim Dione would indicate a need for Vendarite or Corundium on their part. Vendarite sounds unlikely, as according to the wiki it's mostly used for fighters, hangers and fighter factories. Corundium, however, is needed for energy weapons, and a serious lack of it will make it troublesome for them to expand their fleet.

Of the 11 known TN minerals, we currently make use of 9 of them. These are:

• Duranium, used everywhere
• Sorium, our fuel source
• Neutronium, used in our railguns
• Boronide, used in power systems and capacitors
• Uridium, used in sensors and fire control systems
• Corundium, used in building energy weapons such as our meson cannons.
• Mercassium, used in building research facilities and life support systems
• Vendarite, used in building fighters, factories and fighter bases.
• Gallicite, used in all sorts of engine construction

The two currently unused minerals are:

• Corbomite, with theoretical applications in some form of energy shielding, stealth applications, and electronic warfare
• Tritanium, only useful in preparing nuclear warheads. A forbidden technological line, this mineral is effectively worthless and need not be pursued.

Including our four claims of 52 Europa, Psyche, Wolf-Harrington and Macholz, our minable stockpiles of minerals are roughly:

• Duranium - 964,134 tons
• Neutronium - 173,730 tons
• Corbomite - 106,650 tons
• Tritanium - 315,575 tons
• Boronide - 186,712 tons
• Mercassium - 170,884 tons
• Vendarite - 437,271 tons
• Sorium - 428,775 tons
• Uridium - 192,950 tons
• Corundium - 906,630 tons
• Gallicite - 143,943 tons

To address a few points:

- I think we should allow the minerals from the civilian mining complex to go into the economy. We have no shortage of the minerals they produce, and the extra income earned from taxes and greater civilian spending would help more.

- I agree that we should claim Pallas next, and suggest Kalypso as our following claim. Doing so gives us an asteroid claim in roughly each cardinal direction. Our next claim should be the comet Neujmin, mostly to deny its Corundium reserves to the Federation.

This leads to my next proposal:

Pallas, Kalypso, 52 Europa and Psyche should be developed as stopover stations for our FAC. This doesn't have to be anything fancy to begin with, merely establishing a fuel dump on each of these asteroids would allow our FAC flotillas to transit from the Jovian colonies to the Saturn colony without needing carrier support by stopping off at a refueling station midway to replenish their fuel supplies. Since these asteroids are roughly in the galactic north, east, south and west, it should ensure that the two subsystems are never truly out of range of each other.

- I agree we should place a second DSTS on Wolf-Harrington. We can pack up an already established DSTS to expedite this before the comet crosses into Federation space and replace the DSTS.

- I suggest building the following design on all inhabited colonies:

Code: (Sky Watcher) [Select]

Sky Watcher class Sensor Outpost    355 tons     15 Crew     99.8 BP      TCS 7.1  TH 0  EM 0
Armour 5-4     Sensors 1/80     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 0
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months    Spare Berths 2   

Thales Orbital Active Search Sensor (1)     GPS 3200     Range 55.7m km    Resolution 40


This design is classed as a Planetary Defence Centre and can be pre-fabricated in 1 sections
It's basic, it's simple, and its purpose is to run its active sensor at all times, ensuring that no Federation ship can approach within 55 million kilometers of a civilian colony without providing warning, allowing our fleet to come to action stations.

- Finally, I think we should begin building up our ground forces. Each inhabited colony should have a defensive brigade on hand for security purposes.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on April 10, 2017, 09:51:09 am

As an addendum, Tritanium isn't completely useless, as it's used in the production of new Construction Factories at 30 tons per installation. The Republic has more than enough Tritanium for its foreseeable needs on Machholz, though.

Also, when you say 'inhabited colonies', the only inhabited colonies that the Republic has right now are the five core worlds. There aren't any colonists on Tempel-Tuttle in the ingame representation, nor on any of our other claims so far. And one DE or carrier could easily switch on its active sensor at Callisto to cover the Jovian system, so only Titan would need this Sensor Outpost. Fleets would also have to be stationed at the individual asteroids colonies to be useful if you are talking about putting sensor outposts there, as it takes one day five hours for a gunboat at max speed to cross from Callisto to 52 Europa (the nearest asteroid colony). The ansible may allow instantaneous transmission, but our forces most certainly can't move instantly, requiring us to predeploy in order to effectively make use of the early warning.

All of the Republic's inhabited worlds have some ground unit or other on them already, as seen in the second post, but I could start making garrison battalions for each of them.

Anyone want to second Hanzoku's ideas?

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Karlito on April 10, 2017, 11:56:51 am

More importantly than energy weapons, corundium is used to construct mines (being 50% of the cost). It's certainly possible the Federation is running into corundium shortages, it happens in my single player games quite often.

We'll need some construction brigades to start putting together PDCs on asteroids, and we don't even have them researched yet. Nor do we have tanker vessels though one of the freighters could be used as a stopgap.

As for the civilian mining complex, the limiting factor in expansion isn't how many minerals we have in the ground, but how fast we can extract them. I believe we were running a slight duranium deficit, so paying for the minerals helps keep our industry running at 100%. As for whether it's worth the cost... could we see the racial wealth screen Azzuro?

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Happerry on April 10, 2017, 05:45:34 pm

I support sticking a second DSTS on Wolf-Harrington by moving on of our current ones over there and then replacing it, as well as sticking a Sky Watcher on Titan.

Also, I would like to join this game as a scientist. And speaking of scientists, how is our research going?

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on April 10, 2017, 06:35:36 pm

Karlito:

(http://i.imgur.com/zaCnCFk.png)

This is the empire income and expenditure since Jan 1st 2100 (so about half a year). Note that the income is overstated by 20000 which is the scenario's starting wealth. The Republic is currently running at slight deficit of approx 500 per half-year, which the mineral purchases is only a small part of, but that could change since we've only been purchasing minerals for one month out of the previous six.

Happerry:

(http://i.imgur.com/NUr2Pbj.png)

You are the Power and Propulsion specialist formerly known as Caridad Mondragon Betancourt. You have a great PP bonus which is the second most important field, but your administration rating of 1 means you can only apply it to 5 labs.

(http://i.imgur.com/63MPz3F.png)

We are currently researching 25cm railguns, finished by next year February and you are researching Jump Point Theory, to be finished at the end of next year.

If no one speaks against, I'll do Hanzoku's plans as far as possible during the next update.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Karlito on April 10, 2017, 07:17:27 pm

Hmmm yeah, that's a pretty substantial deficit already. I now agree with the decision to stop buying the civilian minerals.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Happerry on April 10, 2017, 08:16:03 pm

By my count we have five labs not being used. I'm not an Aurora buff, so is their a reason they aren't being used? Or do we just not have enough scientists? Or, come to think of it, do we just not want to pay the bills?

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on April 11, 2017, 03:43:09 am

Research Labs:

We should have 20 labs, as far as I know, which are split 15 and 5 on the current projects.

Ground Forces:

My thinking here is to build up ground units now in case we need them later. I'd prefer training Mobile Infantry over Garrison forces if we ever need to use them for offensive operations. This would give us forces we could safely draw on, for tasks ranging from occupying installations or (in the future), providing guards for excavation sites.

Sensor Installations:

The thing with having the carriers run their sensor is that there comes the possibility that all carriers are otherwise occupied - in transit or on missions. I agree that the early warning radius isn't the best - I'd prefer a size 50 radar installation, but researching that would be a 8000 RP project. That said, the installation is tiny enough that building it is a very small project, and any early warning allows the possibility of a diplomatic compromise (even if pointing out the probability of mutually assured destruction) to be reached with the Federation before they're in orbit and bombarding the population of the targeted planet.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on April 11, 2017, 01:52:55 pm

((Yeah, the Republic has only 20 labs which are all in use. The 25 in 15/25 means that Chhaya Pothuval is only managing 15 out of the personal maximum of 25 labs possible via his Admin Rating 5, not that the Republic has 25 labs available.))

Ny Enhet, Ganymede - 19th June 2100

After a long address by CEO Hanzoku on the current state of the Republic and where it should go next, Congress votes to cease the purchase of minerals from Tempel-Tuttle, on the basis that only Duranium is currently needed by industry, and the cost is too high to justify the purchase. Instead, the government will allow Xingjin Extraction to sell its minerals on the open market to the highest bidder and collect a flat sales tax instead, for an estimated tax revenue of 250 million credits a year.

To ensure that the economy does not fall behind in the mining industries, plans are made to claim the asteroid Pallas, which has been analysed to have the best return of mineral output per automine owing to its multiple types of high-accessibility TNEs. A group of four freighters is dispatched to claim Pallas with automines, Federation inspectors in tow.

On Callisto, approval is immediately given by Navy brass to strip the Callisto Deep Space Monitor Array for transfer to Wolf-Harrington. Fleet Intelligence is eager to complete the Wolf-Harrington 'observatory' before the comet passes into Federation space, whereupon the Federation will gain the right to inspect freighters bound for it. In the interim, passive sensor coverage of the Jovian system will be reduced until replacement arrays are built in two weeks' time.

CEO Hanzoku also proposes a sensor outpost that is essentially a subterranean complex for the Thales Orbital Active Search Sensor already in use by Ganymede Military Shipworks. The Sky Watcher-class sensor outpost will allow the Navy to keep an active sensor scan in a 55 milion km radius of space around it without necessarily giving away the position of its ships by using their active sensors. Two are currently planned, one on Ganymede and one for Titan, to be prefabricated and assembled on site.

Code: [Select]

Sky Watcher class Sensor Outpost    355 tons     15 Crew     99.8 BP      TCS 7.1  TH 0  EM 0
Armour 5-4     Sensors 1/80     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 0
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months    Spare Berths 2   

Thales Orbital Active Search Sensor (1)     GPS 3200     Range 55.7m km    Resolution 40


This design is classed as a Planetary Defence Centre and can be pre-fabricated in 1 sections
Separately, the Republic Army begins training to raise two new battalions of mobile infantry in its training grounds on Ganymede. The 29th and 30th Battalions Mobile Infantry are expected to be combat-ready in exactly one year, in June 2101.

Abroad RVS Andes, Outside Saturn Orbit - 21st June 2100, 12:37 UTC

A large deposit of Boronide is found on the comet Brooks, outside the orbit of Saturn. Less notable deposits are found on Halley's Comet nearby.

Code: (Brooks) [Select]

Boronide 62 442 (0.9) Gallicite 7 556 (0.6)

Code: (Halley's Comet) [Select]

Vendarite 21 316 (0.7) Uridium 1 370 (0.6)
Euboea Apex, Io - 22nd June 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/eDYrV95.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/NPHWryC.png)

In what is seen as a move encouraged by Tuesday's legislation allowing Xingjin Extraction to sell to the highest bidder, Plutus Mining, an Io-based mining conglomerate, also announces the establishment of a civilian mining colony on Philomela, an asteroid in the Main Belt currently close to Jupiter. The mining complex is the same as that on Tempel-Tuttle in nearly all aspects, with the same quantity of mines and including a small garrison and monitor array for security.

(http://i.imgur.com/4ACImFc.png)

Philomela has deposits of Duranium, Vendarite and Uridium at high accessibility. The mineral stockpiles on Ganymede are showing an increase in Vendarite and a slight decrease in Uridium, which is attributed to the current construction of sensor arrays and the Sky Watcher sensor outposts. As Republic economists predict the consumption of Uridium will fall sharply after current production finishes, the government decides to tax the mineral output of Philomela rather than buy it for now. Market analysts suggest Plutus Mining has deliberately chosen to colonise an asteroid rich in less-essential TNEs to favour this decision, while others point out that the extremely near location of Philomela might have been the deciding factor.

The Federation embassy, after verifying the claim, issues its notice of acknowledgement. However, in the capital of Aubernia, Federation citizens are outraged that the Republic has once again bypassed the Hartley Convention's restrictions with another civilian mining colony, and there is widespread dissatisfaction with the Ceres Accord as a whole.

(http://i.imgur.com/jm28MAQ.png)

Meanwhile on Wolf-Harrington, the sensor staff reports that the Federation colony of Ariadne has just passed into the range a destroyer could be detected, and none were found. It is still possible, however, that ships could be idling their drives at Ariadne, in which case they would not be detectable until they began moving. In their analysis so far, most Federation shipping - their freighters and colony ships - have been making regular trips to Aurelia and occasionally Astraea from Mars. It appears the Federation is investing its colonisation efforts into building up populations on the two asteroids.

Pallas Station - 27th June 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/Hxy6gK8.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/VfMg0Fg.png)

Republic freighters unload four automines onto the asteroid Pallas in the Southern Main Belt, claiming it for the Republic. Federation inspectors verify the claim under the Hartley Convention and the embassy issues its notice of acknowledgement. Diplomatic staff are quick to add that as Pallas is a governmental claim, the Republic cannot make further governmental claims until the Federation makes one more claim too.

The news release meets lacklustre response in Aubernia, where Federation citizens are tired of hearing of the Republic's claims. In the background, a constant effort by the Federation government to incentivise migrations to Aurelia and Astraea is ongoing.

On Callisto, the Amirani 003 picks up the disassembled sensor arrays for transport to Wolf-Harrington, along with more staff to man the observatory.

Epigeus City, Ganymede - 1st July 2100

Production of replacement sensor arrays for the Callisto Deep Space Monitor Array completes, awaiting the return of freighters to be shipped over to Callisto. Work turns toward making two Sky Watcher-class Sensor Outposts, one in situ on Ganymede and one prefabricated for Titan.

Abroad RVS Andes, Outside Saturn Orbit - 2nd July 2100, 13:37 UTC

TNE deposits are found on the two comets Herschel-Rigollet and Stephan-Oterma.

Code: (Herschel-Rigollet) [Select]

Tritanium 41 568 (0.9) Vendarite 4 007 (0.8)

Code: (Stephan-Oterma) [Select]

Boronide 21 233 (0.8)
Wolf-Harrington Observatory - 3rd July 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/hymRqx3.png)

The additional sensor arrays are installed, doubling the observatory's range. Currently, the outer edge of the range should allow the detection of destroyers moving just inside Mars orbit, but none are detected yet. On Callisto, the newly produced arrays are also installed, bringing passive sensor coverage of the Jovian system back up to normal.

Epigeus City, Ganymede - 6th July 2100

Construction of the first sensor outpost completes, and production of the second begins. There is now active sensor coverage of the Jovian system, and Sky Watcher Ganymede confirms there are no hostile vessels of 2000 tons or greater within its 55 million km range.

Abroad RVS Andes, Outside Saturn Orbit - 10nd July 2100, 10:37 UTC

Substantial deposits of Duranium and Neutronium are discovered on the comet Faye.

Code: (Faye) [Select]

Duranium 30 456 (1) Neutronium 25 744 (0.5)
52 Europa - 12th July 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/uQXPRhA.png)

The Republic's five freighters each drop off a substantial portion of their fuel tanks onto 52 Europa. This is part of the Republic Void Navy's Waystation Initiative, to provide refuelling stops that allow gunboat flotillas to transit from Jupiter to Saturn in opposition without the need of a carrier. The cache of 600,000 litres of HiSor fuel on 52 Europa is sufficient to refuel an attack squadron of five Achilles-class gunboats six times over, also opening up the possibility for the upcoming Perseus-class raiders to be based within the Main Belt.

Back on Ganymede, production of the second Sky Watcher in prefabricated parts is completed, and awaiting the freighters to transfer it to Titan.

(http://i.imgur.com/0X5yPYc.png)

Sensor staff on both Callisto and Wolf-Harrington alert the government that Federation freighters are heading past the Jupiter trojans. They note that the only likely target is the comet Neujmin, indicating that the Federation will claim it soon.

Aubernia, Mars - 16th July 2100

As expected, the Federation government informs the Republic embassy of its official claim to the comet Neujmin, currently outbound beyond the orbit of Jupiter. In their tour of the facilities, Republic inspectors note the presence of a mass driver to send minerals back to the inner system, something which the Republic colonies of Pallas, Psyche, Wolf-Harrington and Machholz still lack. The monitor arrays on Callisto and Wolf-Harrington are unable to resolve the Federation freighters at this range, while the Titan Listening Array is on the other side of the sun.

The news is well-received by the Federation public, as the government emphasises the Federation's first comet colonisation and its furthest one yet (the Tempel-Tuttle colony is humanity's furthest, just outside Saturn orbit). Navy officers note with apprehension that the Federation now has territory beyond Jupiter.

((I decided to skip purchasing minerals from Philomela to continue with the update, though you guys can reverse that decision if you wish. Now that the Federation has claimed Neujmin, do you guys want to colonise Kalypso immediately, or wait for a bit first?))

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Karlito on April 11, 2017, 04:52:28 pm

My feeling is that we should complete the planned two asteroid colonizations as soon as allowed by the terms of the Ceres Accords, and then relax the pace of colonization.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on April 14, 2017, 03:02:03 am

Aubernia, Mars - 17th July 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/sK2aOO6.png)

The very next day after claiming Neujmin, Federation networks are ablaze with the news that Cthon Corp, a Martian mining company, has set up the Federation's first civilian mining colony on the comet Tempel 1. The Federation government informs the Republic embassy of its claim under the Hartley convention, and inspectors are dispatched to verify it. They report that the Tempel 1 colony is indeed corporate-owned, and although they were not allowed to roam freely through the complex, suspect that it is only about half the size of the Republic's own CMCs on Tempel-Tuttle and Philomela.

(http://i.imgur.com/q9xirot.png)

Tempel 1 is a comet that is currently outbound from Sol, extremely close to Mars itself at this point in time. It will pass within a moderate distance from 52 Europa, though its path will be well clear of the area around Jupiter and Saturn.

Abroad RVS Andes, Uranus Orbit - 29th July 2100, 17:22 UTC

The RVS Andes reaches Uranus, currently in opposition to Jupiter on its orbit around Sol. Once again, traces of gaseous Sorium are discovered in the gas giant's atmosphere, though in much lower concentrations and overall masses than the Sorium in the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn.

Code: (Uranus) [Select]

Sorium 178 920 (0.4)
Shangdu, Titan - 30th July 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/NELKDFn.png)

Republic freighters drop off parts for a Sky Watcher station on Titan, along with construction factories to assist Titan industry in assembling it. The excavation and installation of Sky Watcher Titan is estimated to complete in mid September. In the interim, Republic freighters are directed to drop off automated mines on the asteroid Kalypso to claim it, embarking on a two-week voyage back to Io.

Aubernia, Mars - 4th August 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/SD5TU4B.png)

The Republic embassy on Aubernia is once again informed of a new civilian mining colony established on the comet Faye, again by Cthon Corp. Approval of Cthon Corp runs high amongst Federation citizens, who generally see it as a way to match the civilian mining sector of the Republic and regain the Federation's prestige in the field of colonisation.

(http://i.imgur.com/oIpYvKT.png)

Surprisingly, inspectors to verify the Federation's claim are not called from the embassy, but instead from the supervisors of the Pallas colony. The comet Faye has just passed Pallas, and at this moment is 16 million kilometres to the south-southwest. They verify the Federation claim, and add that the Faye mining complexes appear to be on par with the Republic's own civilian mines on Philomela and Tempel-Tuttle.

((Sorry for the short update, need to go out. Longer update will come tonight!))

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on April 15, 2017, 05:41:12 am

Abroad RVS Andes, Uranus Orbit - 7th August 2100, 19:52 UTC

Insignificant TNE deposits are found on Caliban, a moon of Uranus.

Code: (Caliban) [Select]

Duranium 200 (1) Tritanium 121 (1)
Epigeus City, Ganymede - 9th August 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/7VAabxm.png)

Shapash Shipbuilding, the orbital yard responsible for producing Marius-class destroyer escorts, completes a 1000-ton expansion of its slipway capacities. It begins work on adding an extra slipway, such that 3 DEs can be built at once. Currently, only one ship, the RVS William Pickering, is under construction there.

On Aubernia, embassy staff report that the Federation government has recently undertaken a series of roundabout legislative changes regarding the internal movement of colonists between Federation worlds; the effect has been to stop the civilian colony ships from transferring homesteaders to Mercury without government approval. A not-insignificant percentage of pioneers are not deterred, instead booking passage on numerous small craft to venture to Mercury regardless.

Euboea Apex, Io - 12th August 2100

The group of 5 Republic freighters finally complete their two-week transit from Titan, reaching Io and preparing to load the 5 automated mines for shipment to the asteroid Kalypso, in order to claim it for the Federation.

Kalypso Station - 16th August 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/jHywRcV.png)

Five automated mines are landed on the asteroid Kalypso, and Federation inspectors verify the Republic's claim as legitimate. The balance of colonies is now 6 to 5 with the Republic in the lead. Additionally, 600 thousand litres of HiSor fuel are also unloaded into an inconspicuous depot within the complex, as part of the Waystation Initiative to create refuelling stations around the Main Belt for the gunboats.

(http://i.imgur.com/wre7nhO.png)
Only asteroids with minerals shown, blue circled are asteroids with colonies, darker blue are the passive sensor ranges for str 195

With the claiming of Kalypso, the Republic now nominally has colonies in all cardinal directions around the Main Belt: 52 Europa in the north-northwest, Psyche in the east-northeast, Pallas in the south-southwest, and Kalypso in the west. In contrast, the Federation's colonies have all been to the east, notably in the cluster of Aurelia-Astraea-Klotho and nearby Ariadne, with the comet colony Neujmin being the sole exception.

Republic freighters are tasked to continue with the RVN's Waystation Initiative, setting up fuel dumps on Pallas and Psyche. Analysts suggest that for maximum coverage, the asteroids Euphrosyne or Chicago could be colonised to fill in the gap between Psyche and Pallas.

Aubernia, Mars - 19th August 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/3IZzkGW.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/iHnkWsm.png)

It is announced that Cthon Corp has once again expanded its offworld mining operations, this time laying claim to the asteroid Johanna, in the northeastern portion of the Main Belt near Psyche. Republic inspectors dispatched to the asteroid report that the claim is legal, and that the scale of the mining complexes seems to be closer to the smaller ones on Tempel 1 rather than those on Faye.

Wolf-Harrington Observatory - 25th August 2100, 00:07 UTC

(http://i.imgur.com/C5369GM.png)

Automated alerts quickly raise the attention of sensor staff on Wolf-Harrington, as a pair of Federation ship contacts of the Jaguar-class are detected. The Jaguar-class is Fleet Intelligence's designation for the cruiser class of CA Hubris, seen briefly during the Klotho Crisis. Crucially, it appears that its speed of 1950 kps then was not its top speed, as these two ships are observed to be travelling at 2088 kps. They appear to be on a heading from Mars to the Aurelia-Astraea-Klotho region of the Main Belt.

(http://i.imgur.com/ceNI5ru.png)

At 08:07, an additional pair of Kingfisher-class contacts are detected following the two Jaguar-class cruisers. The Kingfisher-class destroyer was seen at the Ceres Summit in the form of DD Hatsuyuki, but these two are travelling at a lowered speed to accompany the cruisers.

The two destroyers pass out of the Observatory's sensor range in six hours, and the cruisers in another six.

Psyche Station - 26th August 2100

The group of Republic freighters reach Psyche Station and unload a combined 600 thousand litres of HiSor fuel there. They will travel back to Ganymede to refuel before making their last fuel drop-off at Pallas.

Wolf-Harrington Observatory - 28th August 2100, 08:53 UTC

(http://i.imgur.com/hWshXAn.png)

Two more Jaguar-class cruisers are observed returning from the Aurelia-Astraea area toward Mars. One of these is positively identified as the FNS Hubris, while the other is of the same class but was not seen at the Klotho Crisis. Fleet Intelligence officers suggest that this, and the previous contacts on the 25th, are a rotation of Federation taskgroups guarding the Aurelia-Astraea-Klotho region.

Notably, after both contacts have passed within range, no Kingfisher-class destroyers are detected in this returning group. This could indicate the Federation deciding to devote more forces to the AKA region.

Ny Enhet, Ganymede - 9th September 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/KyM6Uqi.png)

GOVERNMENT INTERLINKS - BREAKING NEWS - This release is Delta Confidential, only for internal circulation!

Ny Enhet, Ganymede - Hours after the launch of the first Persus-class raiders earlier today, serious shortcomings were discovered in the passive sensor suites of the newest class of gunboats. An unnamed Navy officer who was aboard for the shakedown cruise of the five raiders shared that the passive sensors manufactured by Fuller-Hunter Design Systems, the OSR/ADR-02 and OSR/AQR-03, were underpowered and in fact redundant compared to the basic navigational sensors present on all void vessels.

Allegations of corruption and cronyism in the highest level of the military procurement and shipbuilding departments have been made, and Ganymede Military Shipworks, the recently-formed state-owned company that controls the orbital shipyards, has been in the centre of it all. Top executives were unavailable for comment, as were top Navy officials. There are sporadic reports that the senior executives of Fuller-Hunter Design Systems have been taken into custody, although public spokespersons have yet to announce any action against them.

If the sensors are in fact redundant, it is not only the new Persus-class that is affected, the seven built R-1 Falcon-class fighters also utilise the same sensor suite, and will have to be involved in a possible overhaul if the Navy deems it necessary.



((Okay, so I just realised the two EM and Thermal Sensors designed were sensor strength 1, but all ships already have strength 1 sensors included 'free of charge'/free of mass, so they are in fact redundant.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Code: [Select]

Persus class Raider    1 000 tons     33 Crew     171.4 BP      TCS 20  TH 96  EM 0
4800 km/s     Armour 3-8     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 3
Maint Life 5.1 Years     MSP 54    AFR 16%    IFR 0.2%    1YR 3    5YR 52    Max Repair 48 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 9 months    Spare Berths 0   

Siemens AG 96 EP Gunboat Nuclear Pulse Engine (1)    Power 96    Fuel Use 177.47%    Signature 96    Exp 15%
Fuel Capacity 40 000 Litres    Range 4.1 billion km   (9 days at full power)

Price Systems 100mm 'Kineti-kill' Railgun (1x4)    Range 30 000km     TS: 4800 km/s     Power 3-3     RM 3    ROF 5        1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BAE Avionics Mod 98 Gunboat Fire Control (1)    Max Range: 96 000 km   TS: 5250 km/s     90 79 69 58 48 38 27 17 6 0
Chapman Thrust 45 Ton PBR-3.1 Power System (1)     Total Power Output 3.1    Armour 0    Exp 12%

Thales Orbital  Gunboat Target Acquistion Sensor (1)     GPS 64     Range 1.1m km    Resolution 40
Fuller-Hunter OSR/AQR-03 Thermal Bloom Sensor (1)     Sensitivity 1     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  1m km
Fuller-Hunter OSR/ADR-02 Electromagnetic Sensor (1)     Sensitivity 1.1     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  1.1m km

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes


However, as each sensor only occupies 0.1 Hull Space, the improvements on performance are negligible if they are taken out, I.E. the tonnage, speed, crew requirements etc. don't change. Only the build cost goes down slightly and uses 2 less tons of Uridium per vessel if taken out. In fact the revised design is close enough that the shipyards can continue making it without specifically retooling.

So do you guys want to change the design of the Persus-class and Falcon-class to remove the redundant sensors? And if so, do you guys want to refit the already built ones, or just continue building new ones?))

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on April 15, 2017, 07:38:50 am

((Oh, really? That's entirely my bad, I didn't think that Aurora gave any free sensor capability at all. I say build the sensor free versions, as that reflects the RP the best.))

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Happerry on April 15, 2017, 10:51:12 pm

No need to refit unless something's wrong, but yah, build the new sensor free versions from now on.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on April 16, 2017, 12:09:52 pm

Ny Enhet, Ganymede - 10th September 2100

A scandal erupts at Fuller-Hunter Design Systems, after the Republic Void Navy accuses the company of selling it redundant equipment. Much of the case details are classified beyond public view, but what little of it is on record is sufficient to tank the company's share prices. Its competitors in the passive sensor manufacturing industry, Raymarine Electronics and Marconi Electronics, see a corresponding upswing in their valuations.

Perhaps the best outcome of this event was the headline: FULLER-HUNTER DESIGNED SCANDALS.

Behind the scenes, the RVN introduces new designs for the Persus-class raider and the Falcon-class fighter. The five gunboats of Raider Squadron Alpha stationed at Callisto will not be overhauled as it is judged uneconomical to do so, as are the seven already-built fighters and the eighth in construction.

Spoiler: Updated Designs (click to show/hide)

Code: [Select]

Persus-M class Raider    1 000 tons     33 Crew     169.4 BP      TCS 20  TH 96  EM 0
4800 km/s     Armour 3-8     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 3
Maint Life 4.83 Years     MSP 53    AFR 16%    IFR 0.2%    1YR 4    5YR 56    Max Repair 48 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 9 months    Spare Berths 0   

Siemens AG 96 EP Gunboat Nuclear Pulse Engine (1)    Power 96    Fuel Use 177.47%    Signature 96    Exp 15%
Fuel Capacity 40 000 Litres    Range 4.1 billion km   (9 days at full power)

Price Systems 100mm 'Kineti-kill' Railgun (1x4)    Range 30 000km     TS: 4800 km/s     Power 3-3     RM 3    ROF 5        1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BAE Avionics Mod 98 Gunboat Fire Control (1)    Max Range: 96 000 km   TS: 5250 km/s     90 79 69 58 48 38 27 17 6 0
Chapman Thrust 45 Ton PBR-3.1 Power System (1)     Total Power Output 3.1    Armour 0    Exp 12%

Thales Orbital  Gunboat Target Acquistion Sensor (1)     GPS 64     Range 1.1m km    Resolution 40

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes

Code: [Select]

R-1 'Falcon'-M class Fighter    480 tons     4 Crew     71.5 BP      TCS 9.59  TH 48  EM 0
5005 km/s     Armour 1-5     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 3
Maint Life 6.52 Years     MSP 23    AFR 7%    IFR 0.1%    1YR 1    5YR 14    Max Repair 24 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 0.1 months    Spare Berths 0   

Chapman Thrust 200 Ton NPE-48 High Performance Fighter Engine (1)    Power 48    Fuel Use 185.18%    Signature 48    Exp 15%
Fuel Capacity 5 000 Litres    Range 1.0 billion km   (56 hours at full power)

Price Systems 100mm 'Kineti-kill' Railgun (1x4)    Range 30 000km     TS: 5005 km/s     Power 3-3     RM 3    ROF 5        1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fuller-Hunter OSR/APG-04 Mark LX-48K Targeting System (1)    Max Range: 96 000 km   TS: 6000 km/s     90 79 69 58 48 38 27 17 6 0
Chapman Thrust 45 Ton PBR-3.1 Power System (1)     Total Power Output 3.1    Armour 0    Exp 12%

Fuller-Hunter OSR/APS-01 Active Search Lidar (1)     GPS 15     Range 520k km    Resolution 9

This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and maintenance purposes

Construction at Menhit Manufactory begins with the laying down of spines for five new raiders, to form Raider Squadron Beta.

(http://i.imgur.com/RuSNtPT.png)

Pallas Station - 11th September 2100

The Republic freighter group drops off 600 thousand litres of HiSor fuel on Pallas Station, completing the RVN's Waystation Initiative. Analysts suggest that perhaps Raider Squadron Alpha could be stationed at one of the four asteroids, as a forward deployment should war become imminent. Diplomats point out that relations between the Federation and Republic have warmed significantly after the Ceres Accords, at least compared to the earlier half of the year.

Epigeus City, Ganymede - 13th September 2100

The eighth Falcon-class fighter finishes construction and is sent to RNB Tapperhet; future production will be of the modified R-1 which foregoes the redundant passive sensors.

On Europa, Scientist Chhaya Pothuval improves his Administration Rating to 6.

Aboard RVS Andes, Kuiper Belt - 15th September 2100

A miniscule deposit of Uridium is discovered on the trans-Neptunian object 2004 EW95, five point nine billion kilometres from the Sun. For reference, the current distance between Jupiter and Saturn is only 1.85 billion kilometres, which takes thirteen days for a freighter to cross.

Code: (2004 EW95) [Select]

Uridium 900 (1)
Shangdu, Titan - 28th September 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/0ysQZ6w.png)

The assembly process completes and Sky Watcher Titan goes operational, reporting that there are no ships within 55 million km of the Saturnian system. Republic freighters prepare to undertake the two-week voyage to retrieve the construction factories involved in its assembly from Titan.

Meanwhile, the comet Wolf-Harrington and Fleet Intelligence's observatory on it crosses Mars orbit. So far no new Federation ship classes have been sighted apart from the detections in August, but Fleet Intelligence remains hopeful that new intel can be gathered as the comet moves further into the inner system. The latest reports are only of Federation freighters plying between the AKA region and Mars, and it appears the Federation is focusing upon building up its current holdings before claiming another asteroid.

Epigeus City, Ganymede - 9th October 2100

Cassini Voidworks completes the addition of a slipway to the orbital complex. The civilian-rated shipyard now has two slipways capable of building a 16,000 ton ship each. Currently, the RVS Boösaule, an additional Andes-class geological survey vessel, is under construction and expected to complete within the month.

Epigeus City, Ganymede - 15th October 2100

A slipway is also added to Menhit Manufactory, the FAC shipyard, though the decision is made not to add an extra Persus-class to the batch under construction as the RVN has initially ordered only 10 of the raiders.

New Rome, Europa - 20th October 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/4KW6h2a.png)

In the course of his investigations into a novel branch of Trans-Newtonian Theory, Scientist Happerry improves his understanding of the underlying physics, furthering his ability to research power and propulsion systems.

Wolf-Harrington Observatory - 23rd October 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/TX59WT8.png)

As the latest convoy of Federation freighters departs from Mars orbit, Wolf-Harrington Observatory reports an extra two Hellas-class freighters not previously seen before. Since these ships do not broadcast their civilian transponders, they are government owned. It appears the Federation is seriously building up its void shipping capabilities to bolster its colonisation effort.

Epigeus City, Ganymede - 27th October 2100

(http://i.imgur.com/QaiBgJw.png)

The geological survey vessel RVS Boösaule is launched. It will be sent to survey the rest of the bodies in the outer system and begin the survey of the Kuiper belt on the opposite side to the current location of RVS Andes. Given the speed of survey efforts so far, Congress is reconsidering the need to build a third Andes-class survey vessel.

(http://i.imgur.com/KeiNGQH.png)
Geosurvey progress in Sol as of end October. White circled bodies have been surveyed, green are those with TNE deposits. The Andes is not shown, at the end of the trail of surveyed bodies in the south of the Kuiper Belt.

((I need a decision on whether or not to build the RVS Himalaya as previously ordered. As it stands the survey of Sol could be completed before the Himalaya is launched in about ten more months.

Also, do you guys want to leave Raider Squadron Alpha at Callisto, or send it out to one of the four Main Belt asteroids with a fuel dump? Those four are 52 Europa, Psyche, Pallas and Kalypso.))

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Sheb on April 16, 2017, 03:50:23 pm

The admiralty is on the opinion that more Persus-class should be ordered to fully use our current shipbuilding capacity. In addition, more slipways should be added to Menhit Manufactory. To pay for this, we're willing to forsake the RVS Himalaya.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Happerry on April 16, 2017, 03:53:52 pm

The Research and Engineering Department is of the opinion we should finish building the Himalaya. Once we finally get around to finishing Jump Point Theory, assuming the projections of what it will result in are correct, having a 'spare' could be quite useful.

As for raiders, sure, forward deploy them somewhere.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Sheb on April 16, 2017, 03:56:05 pm

Quote from: Happerry on April 16, 2017, 03:53:52 pm

The Research and Engineering Department is of the opinion we should finish building the Himalaya. Once we finally get around to finishing Jump Point Theory, assuming the projections of what it will result in are correct, having a 'spare' could be quite useful.

As for raiders, sure, forward deploy them somewhere.

The risk is that the Himalaya might be obsolete by the time we are ready to explore new systems. Plus, it'd need a jump tender to escort it. Better to wai and build a jump-capable geosurvey craft.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Happerry on April 16, 2017, 09:53:03 pm

Quote from: Sheb on April 16, 2017, 03:56:05 pm

The risk is that the Himalaya might be obsolete by the time we are ready to explore new systems. Plus, it'd need a jump tender to escort it. Better to wai and build a jump-capable geosurvey craft.

In that case, sure, cancel the order.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Karlito on April 16, 2017, 11:24:13 pm

I'm fine cancelling the Himalaya. I don't see any particular need to forward deploy the raiders at this time.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Sheb on April 17, 2017, 02:05:03 am

Yes, given the current state of our relation, the admiralty support massing its FACs rather than putting some forward.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on April 18, 2017, 02:48:33 am

((With the DE yards expanded by 1000t, is there any interest from the admiralty for a larger escort design yet?))

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Sheb on April 18, 2017, 03:14:37 am

Absolute size isn't a priority, although once we have the technologies for a better design we should make use of the extra space.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Karlito on April 18, 2017, 10:10:37 am

Even if you don't have anything to say about the fiddly details of ship design, I think there are plenty of opportunities to add to our big picture plans. More contributors and attention can only help this sort of thing.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Sheb on April 18, 2017, 01:37:27 pm

Quote from: greatorder on April 18, 2017, 10:24:33 am

Quote from: Karlito on April 18, 2017, 10:10:37 am

Even if you don't have anything to say about the fiddly details of ship design, I think there are plenty of opportunities to add to our big picture plans. More contributors and attention can only help this sort of thing.

The problem is my big picture plan would be kill, rape, burn, then recolonise the earth.

Can't we rape before killing?

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on April 18, 2017, 04:16:34 pm

This discussion will never leave these halls.

That said, you both disturb me greatly...

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: TalonisWolf on April 26, 2017, 06:24:34 am

Quote from: Happerry on April 16, 2017, 09:53:03 pm

Quote from: Sheb on April 16, 2017, 03:56:05 pm

The risk is that the Himalaya might be obsolete by the time we are ready to explore new systems. Plus, it'd need a jump tender to escort it. Better to wai and build a jump-capable geosurvey craft.

In that case, sure, cancel the order.

Agreed.

Quote from: greatorder on April 18, 2017, 04:18:19 pm

Quote from: Hanzoku on April 18, 2017, 04:16:34 pm

This discussion will never leave these halls.

That said, you both disturb me greatly...

...never visit the upper boards.

It's all experiments about how to mentally scar babies and how many grates you can make out of kittens.

Only the Upper Boards? Hah! ;)

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: 90908 on June 08, 2017, 07:37:41 am

Posting with the intent to watch and cry slightly because there's no more to read here, goddamnit.

Also, slight necro I guess? Sorry. If at all possible, could I reserve a spot for the captain of the next carrier that is built? I know that's a while away, but big ships are fun.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: hostergaard on June 20, 2017, 04:27:48 am

This is really good, I hope its still active? Because I have a lot of suggestions.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on June 20, 2017, 04:55:38 am

Damn, and I wanted it to die quietly like all my previous LPs. I still have all the stuff for the game, though, will try to put out an update ... soon-ish. Consider this reactivated.

Also, 90908, none of the existing carriers have captains yet. So far the only forumite with a Navy character is Sheb, Commodore and Chief of Staff of the RVN. Fleet carriers open are RVS Horatio Nelson and RVS Togo Heihachiro, or the still under-construction RVS François-Joseph de Grasse, or the light carrier RVS Moksha. Which one of these do you want, and what's the name of your character?

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: hostergaard on June 20, 2017, 06:07:20 am

I ain't letting this one die, its great! Lots of fun reading.


Lets see, I kind of want to be the governor of the first habitable planet in another system, a nice big terrestrial planet with lots of minerals if possible. But that is gonna be while I guess, so until then I would like to take command of one of the most skilled and highest grade officers available to command the biggest carrier we have, say, the RVS Togo Heihachiro. I will control him until I can control a governor, think of me as a tightly knit family or clan. You can call them Bob Hostergaard or Hostergaard XI or any naming scheme you want to differentiate them. And maybe let my political suggestion come from a group of Hostergaards in the general assembly. Role play it as as you like and see fit, I will only directly control one guy at any time if that is neccesary.

Also, I would suggest sending overtures to the Federation to establish the sovereign domain of each nation. Currently they are simply demanding anything beyond Mars as theirs. We could acknowledge the bodies inside Mars orbit as their sovereign domain, except earth that will be a neutral historical preserve that we jointly work to preserve. Conversely they will acknowledge the area and the bodies between the two asteroid belts as sovereign republic domain. This means that

1. These areas are the domain of the respective powers and they can freely colonize the bodies within them as they see fit (except earth) and it will not count towards the numbers established in the Ceres accord.
2. Each power have the right to patrol, police and defend these areas military as they see fit as it is a part of their nation.
3. Ships of the other power are allowed to transit trough this space to reach their destination (So the Federation is not blocked out of the outher belt and we do not accidentally block each other from accessing all the jump points)
 - Must turn of any active sensors when in these areas and any weapon systems must be turned of.
 - They may not come closer to any colonized body than 10m km (as is already established in the Ceres accord)
 - Any military ship must first make their position known and provide their intended route and destination before entering the sovereign domain of the other power

Any toughs and comments?

------

And I would also suggest making some reforms to the government so heave clearer structure of command (so its easier for Azzuro to know what to do and which suggestion to listen to).

We of course maintain the general assembly (or whatever its called, I suggest calling it the Forum, since it represent, well, the forum). It represent the will of the people and is the ultimate authority of the republic in any mater. They discuss and vote on matters as before when needed.  But I would suggest defining an executive branch that makes the day to day decisions. A group of ministers heads each branch of the government (Minister of Logistics, Minister of Military, Minister of Intelligence, we can define how many and their responsibilities as we see fit) headed by a prime minister, they are all elected by the Forum and be replaced as the Forum sees fit. They each are responsible for carrying out the will of the Forum as they see.

Now for how it actually works. The Forum is the ultimate authority in all maters and can send orders (on consensus) to the Prime minister and the other ministers. These orders can be as detailed or general as you want. The prime minister can order his minister as he sees fit to fulfill these orders and can in turn give as loose or precise commands as he wants. The Ministers in turn can order their departments and so on.  They are all legaly supposed to follow their orders, but of course can interpret them as they want, or even do something else as they are independed individuals. Of course, if, say, a captain decide to ignore a direct order or interpret them badly he will likely have to face the wrath of his superiors or even legal consequences.

So generally, Azzuro will carry out the consensus of the Forum as he interpret it within its wording. The same with the orders of the ministers, and other player characters. Nobody needs to give any orders, if there is no orders from, say, a minister or any lower level characters, Azzuro can just follow the general orders of the higher authority. If there is a conflict between these different layers, he will follow the "finger on the button" rule. That is, if the Fleet Admiral orders the fleet to go somewhere, the fleet goes there, but if a captain of a ship says he is actually gonna go somewhere else, well, then the ship is gonna go somewhere else since he is the one directly controlling the ship. He is supposed to do what the admiral says, and he will likely be punished for not doing it, but he is the one behind the wheel, so that is what gonna happen.

So for extra FUN; consider that you can send messages directly to Azzuro if you want to keep your actions secret (until they are discovered by what happens in game).   ;D

What do you guys think? It will all largely function as it has up until now, but it will give Azzuro a way to decide whose commands to follow and avoid a situation where he does not know whose order to follow.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: 90908 on June 20, 2017, 06:24:17 am

I wish for a command position on the RVS Horatio Nelson, as well as a harem of nubile love slaves.

Edit: Also, I agree with the above plan. I think that these things too often become confusing, so a clearer structure could be useful.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Hanzoku on June 20, 2017, 06:35:28 am

I disagree with the 'give orders in private by PM' part. The players on the forum are all supposed to work together, and it's only fun for one person if they end up driving the empire solo through private commands with everyone else having to scramble to figure out what is going on. It gets even worse if two or more people are trying to do so and giving a mess of conflicting orders in the process.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: 90908 on June 20, 2017, 06:48:13 am

Yeah, I can get behind that. How about we set it up so that we, upon a turn ending, have the Executive branch make a decision, the Forum make a decision and then put those decisions into action.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: hostergaard on June 20, 2017, 07:06:01 am

Oh, and lets make a public announcement congratulating the Federation on establishing their first commercial mining base, noting how important economic development and prosperity is for humanity in these trying times after we lost earth and end it will a call for the Federation to agree on establishing trade as it will only serve to help humanity as a whole grow and prosper.

Furthermore, I suggest we make "empty" colonies on all the bodies between the two asteroid belts that we consider part of our domain (the moons and other orbiters of the gas giants) so to prevent commercial mining operation belong to the federation from popping up there.

Just for fun I suggest that the Republic holds elections now and the for a republic president. The presidents role is largely ceremonial and is controlled by Azzoro as way for him to have character that can comment on things we do and happens in the game.

Lastly, the hostergaard dynasty think tank "Institute for Human Prosperty"  releases a document entitled "On the Future Economic Development of the Republic" that defines population milestones at 1, 10 and 25 million people where the two former is defined as economic milestones where a colony will start demanding and supplying various trade goods and the later one where a colony can bee seen as a source of colonist. A proposal is further outlined that for all colonies with population we strive to at least arrive at the first milestone if not the second to ensure trade between colonies and thus economic prosperity. Finally, it suggest that establishing a colony on all the moons and other orbits of Jupiter and attempting to reach the second milestone for them all would allow for "fast and high frequency" trading between the the colonies and lead to enhanced prosperity as their economies mature and specialize into different trading goods. It suggest that on long term some small scale terraforming might be able to be done to make lives easier on the small bodies and such installation should be build and shipped when the republic have no other pressing need to their production capacity. Buried deep in the document there is a small section where it is speculated that "fast and high frequency" trading is the motive for the Federation colonizing a cluster of close asteroids.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: hostergaard on June 20, 2017, 07:09:33 am

Quote from: Hanzoku on June 20, 2017, 06:35:28 am

I disagree with the 'give orders in private by PM' part. The players on the forum are all supposed to work together, and it's only fun for one person if they end up driving the empire solo through private commands with everyone else having to scramble to figure out what is going on. It gets even worse if two or more people are trying to do so and giving a mess of conflicting orders in the process.

Generally, I agree with you. Commands should be public if at all possible. But there is some interesting role playing possibilities and dynamics in it that could allow for a more fun experience for everyone. I merely mention it so people can consider its ramifications and perhaps mull over how they can use it to make a more fun game for everyone.

Edit: Of course, its ultimately up to Azzuro how he treats private messages

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Azzuro on June 20, 2017, 07:51:35 am

Let me just start by saying that I won't be doing a "departmental ministers" system, for the simple fact that I don't think there's enough players to fill out a reasonably sized cabinet. Besides, I don't want a situation where we're all waiting for, say the Minister of Logistics to get around to ordering the freighters to ship automines to so-and-so asteroid, holding up the LP. I'd prefer a system where readers can jump in and choose the level of participation they want, rather than it being a job. You're all here for the Cold War in space after all, not Sol Shipping Simulator 2100.

As for the governmental system, there are two parts to it: the Republic Congress and Governor's Council. The Congress is the general will of all the posters, even those without characters. The Governor's council is the planetary governors, who can overrule with regard to production and research orders given by the Congress if they choose (so far neither Karlito or Lorknis have done so). Hanzoku is in a bit of a unique position here, but I'll consider him owning the military shipyards and having final say in shipbuilding matters.

On the naval side of things, and regarding PMs, Sheb is Chief of Staff and also hasn't chosen to overrule any naval orders yet. My original intention was the "finger on the button" rule as you said, where naval characters could choose to disobey orders (either openly in the thread or PMing me), with the lowest-level commanders (captains of individual ships) having the final say. So the thread could order the Navy somewhere, Sheb could choose to disobey, and you could choose to disobey him in turn and remain loyal, all in secret. Should be fun to see if/when it happens. NPCs in such situations like the captain of the Amirani 005 are always loyal.

So yeah, PMs and secret actions are allowed and encouraged. However, I'd like to keep the decision making in the thread where it's visible to all. I don't really see the need for a President/Prime Minister at this stage, as I'm able to see a clear course of action and in case of disputes, will just call a simple yes/no vote for whether to proceed with a certain plan. Also, in-universe both polities were formed from the confederation of smaller states and have done without a single executive leader so far, so I'm not sure how to write a new President in.

As for the rest of your proposals, let me reread the LP first.  :P

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: TalonisWolf on June 22, 2017, 10:24:48 am

It lives! Huzzah!

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Khan Boyzitbig on June 22, 2017, 12:11:06 pm

I would like to be a naval officer myself, though I prefer direct battle with large ships over carriers (not sure how big that difference would be in Aurora).

Otherwise i'm watching/voting on actions if or when needed.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Vivalas on June 27, 2017, 07:28:56 pm

This looks interesting, I'll try to read through it and maybe participate, since it seems really good. Azzuro messaged me about it after he saw my own Arms Race type Aurora game but I overestimated my abilities to run a game of that scope. This seems neat though!

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: 1freeman on September 20, 2017, 11:53:52 am

I have really enjoyed this so far, and I hope it isn't dead

I recommend that we try researching high powered microwaves and mounting them on fighters, a swarm of hpm fighters can quickly disable even the most powerful fleets since no one ever researches electronic hardening. You can't kill what you can't see. Also, I say we try to get out of sol ASAP, so that we can have a secure choke point to defend and avoid a sneak attack. Are all missile types banned, or just ones with warheads, I would like to set up sensor buoys along the main approaches, and maybe use recon drones as well.

Title: Re: Let's Play Aurora: Divided Humanity
Post by: Fishbreath on September 28, 2017, 10:17:02 am

Posting to watch. (Provided it isn't dead.)